Master of Science; Biological sciences and Biotechnology
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine, Biotechnology, Cancer Research
17
Scopus Publications
564
Scholar Citations
8
Scholar h-index
5
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Flavonoids and phenols of Sclerocarya birrea fruit exocarp extracts differentially modulating antioxidant activities Phazha Bushe Baeti, Keagile Bati, Phenyo Donald Brown, Runner Majinda, Kabo Masisi, et al. Advances in Traditional Medicine, 2026 The aim of this study was to evaluate the total content of flavonoids and phenols, in vitro antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of Sclerocarya birrea fruit exocarp extracts. The fruit exocarp was extracted sequentially in Hexane, Chloroform, Ethyl acetate, and Methanol and the antioxidant properties were evaluated using in vitro antioxidant assays and cytoprotective effects against H2O2-induced cell death using HeLa cells. Molecular docking using Autodock 4.2.6 was used to assess the binding interactions of Sclerocarya birrea compounds to the antioxidant enzymes. The total flavonoid and total phenolic contents were in the order Methanol > Ethyl acetate > Chloroform > Hexane (P < 0.05) of Sclerocarya birrea fruit exocarp extracts. The antioxidant properties using DPPH, ABTS, and Ferric reducing antioxidant power, and total antioxidant capacity assays revealed significantly higher (P < 0.05) antioxidant activity in the Methanol > Ethyl acetate > Chloroform > Hexane. Using WST-1 assay, H2O2-induced cell loss was effectively reduced by preincubating HeLa cells with Ethyl acetate > Methanol > Chloroform > Hexane (P < 0.05) extracts. Methanol and Ethyl acetate extracts also significantly increased (P < 0.05) the activities of Superoxide dismutase, Catalase and reduced Glutathione. Amongst the identified compounds, Myricetin 3-o-α- rhamsoside (C8) emerged as the best compound to bind to both SOD and CAT with binding energies of − 9.1 and − 8.8 kcal/mol respectively. C8 formed hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions with SOD and CAT to act as an agonist. Our findings suggest that Methanol and Ethyl acetate Sclerocarya birrea fruit exocarp extracts improved antioxidant capacity and thus have the potential to be developed into antioxidant products that will alleviate oxidative stress linked diseases.
Extreme weather event attribution predicts climate policy support across the world Viktoria Cologna, Simona Meiler, Chahan M. Kropf, Samuel Lüthi, Niels G. Mede, et al. Nature Climate Change, 2025 Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. Yet, little is known about the relationship between exposure to extreme events, subjective attribution of these events to climate change, and climate policy support, especially in the Global South. Combining large-scale natural and social science data from 68 countries (N = 71,922), we develop a measure of exposed population to extreme weather events and investigate whether exposure to extreme weather and subjective attribution of extreme weather to climate change predict climate policy support. We find that most people support climate policies and link extreme weather events to climate change. Subjective attribution of extreme weather was positively associated with policy support for five widely discussed climate policies. However, exposure to most types of extreme weather event did not predict policy support. Overall, these results suggest that subjective attribution could facilitate climate policy support.
Trust in scientists and their role in society across 68 countries Viktoria Cologna, Niels G. Mede, Sebastian Berger, John Besley, Cameron Brick, et al. Nature Human Behaviour, 2025 Science is crucial for evidence-based decision-making. Public trust in scientists can help decision makers act on the basis of the best available evidence, especially during crises. However, in recent years the epistemic authority of science has been challenged, causing concerns about low public trust in scientists. We interrogated these concerns with a preregistered 68-country survey of 71,922 respondents and found that in most countries, most people trust scientists and agree that scientists should engage more in society and policymaking. We found variations between and within countries, which we explain with individual- and country-level variables, including political orientation. While there is no widespread lack of trust in scientists, we cannot discount the concern that lack of trust in scientists by even a small minority may affect considerations of scientific evidence in policymaking. These findings have implications for scientists and policymakers seeking to maintain and increase trust in scientists.
Euclea natalensis Suppresses Postprandial Hyperglycemia in Rats via the Inhibition of α-Glucosidase: In vitro, in vivo, and Molecular Docking Studies Keagile Bati, Runner R.T Majinda, Goabaone Gaobotse, Tebogo E. Kwape Current Traditional Medicine, 2025 Background: Postprandial hyperglycemia is a key factor in type 2 diabetes, and its management is critical in alleviating the deleterious consequences of diabetes and its associated micro and macrovascular complications. Objective: The current study aims to determine the effect of Euclea natalensis leaf extracts on α- glucosidase inhibition in vitro and postprandial hyperglycemia in vivo in rats. Methods: Sequentially extracted leaf extracts of Euclea natalensis were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase in vitro and the suppression of postprandial hyperglycemia in normoglycemic rats. The extracts were fingerprinted using a Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR), and the bioactive compounds were evaluated by molecular docking for their interaction with α-glucosidase. Results: FTIR fingerprinting of the extracts showed that they contain functional groups of important bioactive phytochemicals. The extracts inhibited α-glucosidase in vitro, with the methanol extract (1 mg/mL) showing the highest inhibitory effect of 93.52 ± 1.50% compared to 69.62% ± 1.45 of the standard drug acarbose (0.05 mg/mL). The extracts also reduced postprandial hyperglycemia in rats in a sucrose tolerance test, where the hexane and methanol extracts performed similarly to Acarbose. Molecular docking studies showed that 20(29)-lupene-3β- isoferulate 3 is the most potent α-glucosidase inhibitor with the lowest binding energy of -10.79 kcal/mol, 2 hydrogen bonds with residues ASP1526 and ASP1157, and numerous Van der Waal interactions with amino acids in the binding pocket of α-glucosidase. Conclusion: Euclea natalensis leaf extracts were found to suppress postprandial hyperglycemia by inhibiting α-glucosidase activity; thus, it has a promising potential for use as an antidiabetic agent.
Pro-oxidant Effects of Repeatedly Heated Sunflower Oil and the Possible Ameliorative Potential of Elaeodendron transvaalense Leaf Powder in Sprague Dawley Rats Tebogo Kwape, Kabo Masisi, Laone Kelaotswe, Keagile Bati, Phazha Baeti Current Traditional Medicine, 2025 Background: Repeated heating of cooking oils induces the overproduction of reactive oxygen species with an overwhelmed cellular antioxidant defense system, resulting in oxidative stress, the known cause of cardiovascular diseases. Elaeodendron transvaalense is a medicinal plant believed to have phytochemicals that help ameliorate the effects of oxidative stress. Objective: This study investigated the pro-oxidant effects of repeatedly heated sunflower oil and the possible ameliorative potential of Elaeodendron transvaalense leaf powder in Sprague Dawley rats. Methods: Four groups of male Sprague Dawley rats were fed for 4-weeks a standard diet supplemented without (a) control or with (b) 15% (w/w) repeatedly heated sunflower oil (RHSO), (c) 15% (w/w) non-heated sunflower oil, (d) 15% (w/w) RHSO and 1.5% ETLP. Results: Endogenous antioxidants: Catalase and SOD activities were observed to rise significantly (p <0.05) in Group 2 when compared to Group 1 and Group 3 respectively. A significant decline in the SOD and catalase activities was observed in group 4 fed RHSO + ETLP. No significant differences were observed in the body, liver, and kidney weights of Group 2 when compared with Groups 1, 3 and 4 respectively, and no significant differences were observed when comparing Group 4 to Groups 1, 2 and 3. The levels of Lipid profiles; Low-density Lipoproteins (LDL), Total cholesterol (TC), and Triglycerides (TG) were observed to rise significantly (p <0.05) in Group 2 when compared to Group 1 and 3, while their significant (p <0.05) decline was observed in Group 4 fed with RHSO + ETLP. The levels of HDL showed no significant difference across all groups because the p-values for the difference between groups exceeded the null hypothesis (p <0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this experiment indicate the possible ameliorative potential of ETLP observed in the significantly (p <0.05) reduced SOD and catalase activities. A significant (p <0.05) decline in the TC, TG, and LDL to desirable levels further indicated the ameliorative effects.
Public communication about science in 68 countries: Global evidence on how people encounter and engage with information about science NG Mede, V Cologna, S Berger, J C. Besley, C Brick, M Joubert, ... Science Communication, 10755470251376615 , 2025 2025 Citations: 10
Flavonoids and phenols of Sclerocarya birrea fruit exocarp extracts differentially modulating antioxidant activities PB Baeti, K Bati, PD Brown, R Majinda, K Masisi, G Gaobotse, TE Kwape Advances in Traditional Medicine, 1-13 , 2025 2025
Synthesis, characterization, anticancer and antibacterial studies of ruthenium (II/III) benzimidazole complexes LG Julius, MO Koobotse, TB Demissie, JTP Matshwele, FM Nareetsile, ... Results in Chemistry, 102647 , 2025 2025
Trust in scientists and their role in society across 68 countries V Cologna, NG Mede, S Berger, J Besley, C Brick, M Joubert, ... Nature Human Behaviour 9 (4), 713-730 , 2025 2025 Citations: 411
Pro-oxidant Effects of Repeatedly Heated Sunflower Oil and the Possible Ameliorative Potential of Elaeodendron transvaalense Leaf Powder in Sprague Dawley … T Kwape, K Masisi, L Kelaotswe, K Bati, P Baeti Current Traditional Medicine 11 (2), E030124225171 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Euclea natalensis Suppresses Postprandial Hyperglycemia in Rats via the Inhibition of α-Glucosidase: In vitro , in vivo, and Molecular Docking Studies K Bati, RRT Majinda, G Gaobotse, TE Kwape Current Traditional Medicine 11 (2), E020124225151 , 2025 2025
Perceptions of science, science communication, and climate change attitudes in 68 countries–the TISP dataset NG Mede, V Cologna, S Berger, J Besley, C Brick, M Joubert, ... Scientific data 12 (1), 114 , 2025 2025 Citations: 34
Leaf extracts of Euclea natalensis A.D.C ameliorate biochemical abnormalities in high-fat-low streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats through modulation of the AMPK … K Bati, PB Baeti, G Gaobotse, TE Kwape Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 11 (1), 232-252 , 2024 2024 Citations: 7
Sclerocarya birrea and Terminalia prunioides: Phytochemical screening and synergistic inhibition of cervical cancer cells proliferation through modulation of EGFR, VEGF, MACC1 … PB Baeti, DP Brown, K Bati, GF Chi, I Demirtaş, K Masisi, G Gaobotse, ... South African Journal of Botany 174, 755-767 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
In vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects and antioxidant potential of new dihydrochalcones from Baphia massaiensis Taub NA Kgakatsi, RRT Majinda, IB Masesane, MS Nwamadi, TB Demissie, ... Phytochemistry Letters 63, 22-30 , 2024 2024
Phytochemical screening, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of sequentially extracted Euclea natalensis leaf extracts K Bati, PB Baeti, NA Kgakatsi, RRT Majinda, G Gaobotse, TE Kwape Scientific African 25, e02315 , 2024 2024 Citations: 9
Cobalt pyridyl complexes against drug-resistant bacteria: Synthesis, characterization, antibacterial properties, mode of action, and molecular docking studies JTP Matshwele, S Odisitse, O Mazimba, TB Demissie, MO Koobotse, ... Inorganica Chimica Acta 563, 121911 , 2024 2024 Citations: 8
Evaluation of the alpha-amylase inhibitory activity of Euclea natalensis extracts used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus: An experimental and in silico approach K Bati, PB Baeti, G Gaobotse, TE Kwape Plant Science Today 11 (2), 750-761 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of sequentially extracted Terminalia prunioides pods P Baeti, K Bati, K Masisi, G Gaobotse, T Kwape Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 10 (1), 580-593 , 2023 2023 Citations: 3
Synthesis, characterization, antibacterial properties, mode of action and molecular docking studies of copper pyridyl complexes against drug-resistant bacteria JTP Matshwele, S Odisitse, TB Demissie, MO Koobotse, O Mazimba, ... Inorganic Chemistry Communications 158, 111461 , 2023 2023 Citations: 3
Reduction of Bacterial Folic Acid Production and Cell Membrane Disruption of Klebsiella pneumoniae by Two Amino Substituted Pyridyl Compounds: An … JTP Matshwele, M Jongman, TB Demissie, MO Koobotse, O Mazimba, ... Chemistry Africa 6 (5), 2725-2735 , 2023 2023 Citations: 9
Comparison of mouse embryonic fibroblasts proliferation in culture media comprising different concentrations of components MC Moseki, MM Mazebedi, B Keagile, G Gaobotse Botswana International University of Science and Technology , 2023 2023
Evaluation of the antidiabetic effects and possible mechanisms of action of Euclea natalensis extracts K Bati Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) , 2022 2022 Citations: 1
Myrothamnus flabellifolius attenuates streptozotocin-high energy diet-induced type 2 diabetes in male sprague dawley rats K Bati Journal of Medicinal Plants Research , 2020 2020 Citations: 1
The inhibitory effect of an ethanol extract of Sida rhombifolia leaves on key carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes K Bati, TE Kwape, P Chaturvedi J Complement Med Res 9 (1), 1-10 , 2018 2018 Citations: 9
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Trust in scientists and their role in society across 68 countries V Cologna, NG Mede, S Berger, J Besley, C Brick, M Joubert, ... Nature Human Behaviour 9 (4), 713-730 , 2025 2025 Citations: 411
Perceptions of science, science communication, and climate change attitudes in 68 countries–the TISP dataset NG Mede, V Cologna, S Berger, J Besley, C Brick, M Joubert, ... Scientific data 12 (1), 114 , 2025 2025 Citations: 34
Concentrations of some trace elements in vegetables sold at Maun market, Botswana. K Bati, O Mogobe, WRL Masamba Journal of Food Research 6 (1), 69-77 , 2017 2017 Citations: 34
Anti-Diabetic effects of an ethanol extract of cassia abbreviata stem bark on diabetic rats and possible mechanism of its action:-Anti-diabetic properties of cassia abbreviata K Bati, TE Kwape, P Chaturvedi Journal of Pharmacopuncture 20 (1), 45 , 2017 2017 Citations: 20
Public communication about science in 68 countries: Global evidence on how people encounter and engage with information about science NG Mede, V Cologna, S Berger, J C. Besley, C Brick, M Joubert, ... Science Communication, 10755470251376615 , 2025 2025 Citations: 10
Phytochemical screening, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of sequentially extracted Euclea natalensis leaf extracts K Bati, PB Baeti, NA Kgakatsi, RRT Majinda, G Gaobotse, TE Kwape Scientific African 25, e02315 , 2024 2024 Citations: 9
Reduction of Bacterial Folic Acid Production and Cell Membrane Disruption of Klebsiella pneumoniae by Two Amino Substituted Pyridyl Compounds: An … JTP Matshwele, M Jongman, TB Demissie, MO Koobotse, O Mazimba, ... Chemistry Africa 6 (5), 2725-2735 , 2023 2023 Citations: 9
The inhibitory effect of an ethanol extract of Sida rhombifolia leaves on key carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes K Bati, TE Kwape, P Chaturvedi J Complement Med Res 9 (1), 1-10 , 2018 2018 Citations: 9
Cobalt pyridyl complexes against drug-resistant bacteria: Synthesis, characterization, antibacterial properties, mode of action, and molecular docking studies JTP Matshwele, S Odisitse, O Mazimba, TB Demissie, MO Koobotse, ... Inorganica Chimica Acta 563, 121911 , 2024 2024 Citations: 8
Leaf extracts of Euclea natalensis A.D.C ameliorate biochemical abnormalities in high-fat-low streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats through modulation of the AMPK … K Bati, PB Baeti, G Gaobotse, TE Kwape Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 11 (1), 232-252 , 2024 2024 Citations: 7
Antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of sequentially extracted Terminalia prunioides pods P Baeti, K Bati, K Masisi, G Gaobotse, T Kwape Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 10 (1), 580-593 , 2023 2023 Citations: 3
Synthesis, characterization, antibacterial properties, mode of action and molecular docking studies of copper pyridyl complexes against drug-resistant bacteria JTP Matshwele, S Odisitse, TB Demissie, MO Koobotse, O Mazimba, ... Inorganic Chemistry Communications 158, 111461 , 2023 2023 Citations: 3
Sclerocarya birrea and Terminalia prunioides: Phytochemical screening and synergistic inhibition of cervical cancer cells proliferation through modulation of EGFR, VEGF, MACC1 … PB Baeti, DP Brown, K Bati, GF Chi, I Demirtaş, K Masisi, G Gaobotse, ... South African Journal of Botany 174, 755-767 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Evaluation of the alpha-amylase inhibitory activity of Euclea natalensis extracts used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus: An experimental and in silico approach K Bati, PB Baeti, G Gaobotse, TE Kwape Plant Science Today 11 (2), 750-761 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Pro-oxidant Effects of Repeatedly Heated Sunflower Oil and the Possible Ameliorative Potential of Elaeodendron transvaalense Leaf Powder in Sprague Dawley … T Kwape, K Masisi, L Kelaotswe, K Bati, P Baeti Current Traditional Medicine 11 (2), E030124225171 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Evaluation of the antidiabetic effects and possible mechanisms of action of Euclea natalensis extracts K Bati Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) , 2022 2022 Citations: 1
Myrothamnus flabellifolius attenuates streptozotocin-high energy diet-induced type 2 diabetes in male sprague dawley rats K Bati Journal of Medicinal Plants Research , 2020 2020 Citations: 1
Flavonoids and phenols of Sclerocarya birrea fruit exocarp extracts differentially modulating antioxidant activities PB Baeti, K Bati, PD Brown, R Majinda, K Masisi, G Gaobotse, TE Kwape Advances in Traditional Medicine, 1-13 , 2025 2025
Synthesis, characterization, anticancer and antibacterial studies of ruthenium (II/III) benzimidazole complexes LG Julius, MO Koobotse, TB Demissie, JTP Matshwele, FM Nareetsile, ... Results in Chemistry, 102647 , 2025 2025
Euclea natalensis Suppresses Postprandial Hyperglycemia in Rats via the Inhibition of α-Glucosidase: In vitro , in vivo, and Molecular Docking Studies K Bati, RRT Majinda, G Gaobotse, TE Kwape Current Traditional Medicine 11 (2), E020124225151 , 2025 2025
