Development trends and translational opportunities in self-assembled herbal bioactive materials research

BACKGROUND: Self-assembled herbal bioactive materials (SAHBMs) represent a rapidly advancing frontier integrating phytochemistry, supramolecular chemistry, and biomedical engineering. By leveraging the intrinsic pharmacological activity and self-organization of herbal compounds, SAHBMs offer improved solubility, stability, and therapeutic efficacy. Despite growing interest, existing studies remain largely narrative and subjective. METHODS: This study employs bibliometric mapping to provide a systematic, data-driven overview of the field. Publications related to SAHBMs (2000 to June 2025) were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection, yielding 1085 records. Analyses were conducted using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, Pajek, SCImago Graphica, and R-based visualizations to assess publication dynamics, institutional and national contributions, collaboration and citation networks, journal dissemination, keyword evolution, and disease associations. RESULTS: Annual publications increased markedly over time, with China contributing 57.1% of outputs, while France and Germany achieved higher citation impact. Collaboration networks highlighted active China-United States partnerships. Core institutions included the Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Agricultural University, while prolific authors such as Wang Penglong and Huang Xuemei shaped research trajectories. Thematic clustering revealed dual disciplinary cores in nanoscience/materials and pharmacology/medicine. Co-cited works emphasized antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and oncological applications. Keyword bursts such as "wound healing", "drug delivery system", and "regenerative medicine" highlighted evolving thematic emphases and application-oriented research attention. CONCLUSIONS: This first bibliometric analysis of SAHBMs delineates global trajectories, intellectual anchors, and emerging frontiers. Challenges remain in stability, biokinetics, and the generation of evidence needed for further preclinical development. Future progress will depend on artificial intelligence-assisted molecular design, advanced preclinical modeling, and strengthened global collaboration. Bibliometric trends suggest that SAHBMs is evolving as a nanomaterials-oriented research field, with increasing attention to self-assembled nanostructures, self-assembly mechanisms, and functional biomedical applications such as carrier-free drug delivery and regenerative medicine.