Research hotspots and emerging trends in the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress by traditional Chinese medicine: A bibliometric analysis perspective

BACKGROUND: Endoplasmic reticulum stress is a critical mechanism in the regulation of cellular homeostasis and plays a significant role in the pathophysiological processes of numerous diseases. This study sought to systematically analyze the research landscape of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress from 2000 to mid-2024 using bibliometric methods, revealing trends, hotspots, and future directions to guide researchers. METHODS: We retrieved relevant literature from the Web of Science Core Collection database from January 1, 2000, to June 30, 2024. Bibliometric analysis was performed using CiteSpace and VOSviewer, including assessments of annual publication trends, national/regional and institutional collaboration networks, author collaborations, co-citation analysis, keyword co-occurrence, and clustering analysis, as well as journal and reference analyses. RESULTS: The findings reveal that since 2007, research on the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress by TCM has gradually gained momentum, exhibiting a fluctuating growth pattern. China has led this area of research, with notable contributions from the Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Taiwan, and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. The focus of research includes mechanisms such as apoptosis, oxidative stress, autophagy, and nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathways, along with treatment applications in cancer, metabolic diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. Journals, such as the Journal of Ethnopharmacology have become significant academic platforms in this field. Potential future research themes may include the application of TCM in infectious diseases, mechanistic studies on liver injury, further exploration of metabolic regulation, interactions between endoplasmic reticulum stress and other signaling pathways, and multitarget regulatory mechanisms of TCM components. CONCLUSION: This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of TCM's role in regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress, outlining research advancements, and future directions. It offers fresh insights and a practical groundwork for incorporating TCM into contemporary medical practice, making it a significant resource for guiding future research.