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PP-01

A bibliometric analysis of natural product in diabetic research (1985-2024)

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Yi-Rui Chen, Wu-Yu Kuan, Ming-Han Tsai, Yingxiao Li,* Kai-Chun Cheng*
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1 Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Health Care, Tajen University, Pingtung
90741, Taiwan
2 Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 824005,
Taiwan
* E-mail: yxli0809@isu.edu.tw; kc-cheng@tajen.edu.tw

Abstract
Natural products (NPs) have been widely studied for their therapeutic potential in diabetes
mellitus (DM). However, the overall research focus on individual compounds has not been
systematically quantified. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of first-level
experimental studies retrieved from Web of Science using keywords combining “natural
product” and “diabetes” from 1985 to 2024. A total of 2421 publications were collected. The
Bibliometrix R-package was employed to evaluate publication trends, research hotspots, and
compound-specific prominence. The analysis revealed a consistent growth in NP-based DM
research, with a notable increase after 2000, reflecting the rising global interest in natural
therapies. Among the most frequently studied compounds, quercetin (n=25), resveratrol (n=16),
glutathione (n=13), berberine (n=10), and caffeic acid (n=10) emerged as the leading candidates.
These compounds are primarily polyphenols and antioxidants, underscoring the critical role of
oxidative stress and inflammation in the pathophysiology of DM. Furthermore, the network
mapping of keywords demonstrated the close association between these compounds and key
therapeutic pathways, particularly those involving glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and
oxidative signaling. This bibliometric study provides the first systematic overview of natural
product research in DM, highlighting five major compounds as research priorities. The results
emphasize their translational potential and offer an evidence-based foundation for future
mechanistic studies and drug development.

Keywords: Natural products; Diabetes mellitus; Bibliometric analysis; Polyphenols; Oxidative
stress