The Current Status and Trends of Chinese Medicine Polysaccharides: A Bibliometric Review [1998–2021]

Abstract Chinese medicine polysaccharides refer to a class of active polysaccharides extracted from traditional Chinese medicines. They are widely used natural macromolecules with various pharmacological activities such as antiviral, antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐cancer, anti‐hypertensive, and antioxidant effects, as well as affecting the immunomodulation and regulation of intestinal flora. In recent years, the research on Chinese medicine polysaccharides in pharmacological disciplines has grown rapidly. To understand the research trends of Chinese medicine polysaccharides, this study adopts a bibliometric approach based on the Web of Science core database (WoSCC) by analyzing the publication year, authors, countries/regions, organizations, journals, and critical characteristics of relevant literature to explore the current and future research trends related to Chinese medicine polysaccharides. In addition, the traditional and modern extraction methods of Chinese medicine polysaccharides are reviewed. This paper lays a framework for the development of Chinese medicine polysaccharides. The information helps researchers explore new directions and perspectives for future research.