Phytotherapeutic Agents and Musculoskeletal Health: A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Trends (2000–2025)

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders rank among the leading causes of disability worldwide, and interest in phytotherapeutic approaches to their management has grown substantially over the past two decades. This study aimed to characterise the global scientific output on this topic using bibliometric methods. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the Scopus database on 31 May 2026, using a Boolean string combining phytotherapy-related terms (phytotherapy, "herbal medicine", ethnopharmacology, "medicinal plant", phytomedicine, "traditional medicine") with musculoskeletal condition terms (musculoskeletal, osteoarthritis, "rheumatoid arthritis", "low back pain", fibromyalgia, rehabilitation), restricted to original research articles in English published between 2000 and 2025. A total of 3,032 articles were retrieved from 1,052 journals, accumulating 76,827 citations (mean: 25.34; H-index: 107). Annual output grew from 20 articles in 2000 to 262 in 2025. China was the most productive country (n=804), followed by India (n=403) and South Korea (n=348); Turkey ranked 20th with 36 publications. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology dominated journal rankings (n=295). Ha In-Hyuk (South Korea) was the most prolific author (n=43). Ginger (n=176), curcumin/turmeric (n=147), and nettle (n=92) were the most frequently studied phytotherapeutic agents. Keyword analysis identified four thematic clusters: Korean medicine and acupuncture; traditional Chinese medicine and complementary medicine; pain and osteoarthritis; and ethnobotany and traditional knowledge. Research on phytotherapy and musculoskeletal health has grown steadily but remains geographically concentrated in East Asia. Turkey, despite its rich endemic flora, has made a limited contribution to this body of literature, representing a significant opportunity for future research.