Global Research Trends in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Diabetic Kidney Disease: A 20-Year Bibliometric Analysis

Background and purpose: The global burden of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) continues to escalate, establishing it as a predominant contributor to chronic kidney failure; nonetheless, effective therapeutic options remain limited. Emerging evidence indicates that traditional chinese medicine (TCM) may offer novel strategies for addressing this condition. However, the existing literature is characterized by considerable heterogeneity in both the specific TCM interventions employed (eg, single herbs, compound formulas, and phytochemical extracts) and the reported therapeutic outcomes across individual studies, and previous reviews have been constrained by a narrow focus on specific herbal preparations or single-outcome measures, lacking a systematic overview of the entire research landscape. Consequently, to obtain a holistic understanding of TCM research in DKD, this study applied bibliometric methods to systematically map the current status, research breadth, and evolving trends within this domain. Patients and methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 1249 publications retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection, spanning two decades (2004-2024). To ensure comprehensive coverage, the search strategy broadly defined TCM research to include single herbs, compound formulas, phytochemical constituents, network pharmacology approaches, clinical observational studies, and experimental mechanistic investigations. Data were analyzed using CiteSpace and VOSviewer to visualize publication trajectories, author/institutional collaborations, keyword clusters, and research hotspots. Focus areas included thematic shifts, methodological advancements, and clinical translation challenges.