The role of natural products in the intestinal barrier: a bibliometric analysis from 2004 to 2025

Abstract

Background There is an increasing number of studies on the protective effects of natural products on the intestinal barrier through multiple targets. However, the landscape of knowledge structure and emerging frontiers remains incompletely characterized. We conducted a bibliometric analysis and mapped the global landscape of natural products in intestinal barrier protection research. Methods Using a predefined topic search strategy, we retrieved publications from the Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed from January 1, 2004 to November 6, 2025. We analyzed the complete records and citing literature using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, R (Biblioshiny), and SCImago Graphica to quantify the annual output and collaboration of countries/institutions/authors, and analyzed the influence of journals and publications through citation and co-citation analysis. We also detected the evolution of themes in the field through isomorphic keyword co-occurrence, clustering, and burst detection. Results We included 1,679 records. 63 countries contributed to the development of this field, with China leading in productivity/paper output and influence (682 publications; 15,987 citations), followed by the United States and the United Kingdom. High-impact publications include Food & Function and Nutrients. Keyword analysis emphasizes that the gut microbiota, inflammation, and oxidative stress are the central pillars, and NF-κB signaling is the key mechanism hub. Polyphenols are the most studied category, and resveratrol is a representative cross-mechanism compound. Conclusion The research scale in this field is expanding rapidly and is centered on the gut microbiota, linking immune inflammation and oxidative stress pathways with tight junction integrity and mucosal repair. Future work should strengthen cross-national cooperation and prioritize rigorous translational and clinical validation.