PLANT-DERIVED BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS FOR NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

The global rise in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia, has intensified research efforts to discover new therapeutic strategies, particularly those involving natural compounds. Medicinal plants have long been used in traditional medicine for treating cognitive and memory-related disorders. This study presents a bibliometric mapping analysis of research publications focused on neuroprotective bioactive compounds derived from plants. Relevant literature was retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database using predefined selection criteria. The analysis revealed a consistent upward trend in publication output since 2015, with a notable surge over the past five years, reflecting growing interest in plant-based neuroprotection. A total of 1,144 documents were identified, spanning 50 research areas and published in four languages. These publications originated from 106 countries, involving 1,936 organisations and 6,342 authors, and collectively received 27,681 citations. Moreover, 202 funding agencies were identified as contributors to this research domain. Network visualization uncovered a globally interconnected research landscape, with China, the USA, and European countries playing central roles. Meanwhile, collaborative efforts from Asia, Africa, and Latin America are increasingly visible, indicating emerging regional participation. The presence of these regional clusters suggests that research development may be influenced by linguistic, cultural, or funding-related factors. This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and global dynamics of research on plant-based neuroprotective compounds.