Background: Nanotechnology-enabled delivery of plant-derived bioactive has emerged as a rapidly expanding area of pharmaceutical research. Despite increasing publications, a comprehensive understanding of the intellectual structure, thematic evolution, and emerging translational directions of phytopharmaceutical nano delivery remains limited.
Objectives: This study aimed to map the global research landscape of plant-based nano delivery systems using bibliometric and science-mapping approaches to identify core themes, leading contributors, and emerging research fronts.
Methods: Bibliometric analysis was conducted on publications indexed in major databases covering the period 2005-2025. Analytical tools including Bibliometrix (R), VOSviewer, and CiteSpace were used to evaluate annual scientific production, Bradford's Law source distribution, international collaboration, keyword co-occurrence, thematic evolution, and citation burst detection.
Results: Annual output showed exponential growth after 2018, with publications increasing more than five-fold in the last decade, indicating accelerating research interest. Bradford's Law analysis revealed that the core dissemination zone comprised approximately 8–10 journals contributing about 30–35% of total publications, predominantly in drug delivery and nanomedicine fields. The most cited countries included China (>240 citations) and India (>100 citations), reflecting strong Asian research leadership. Keyword co-occurrence and thematic mapping identified three dominant knowledge clusters: (i) engineered nano-drug delivery systems, (ii) plant extract–derived antioxidant and antimicrobial nanomaterials, and (iii) green synthesis of metal nanoparticles. Motor themes with high centrality and density included "green synthesis," "antioxidant," and "anti-bacterial activity," while targeted drug delivery and controlled release systems formed a well-developed translational cluster. CiteSpace burst analysis highlighted emerging fronts related to plant-derived nanomaterials, exosome-like nanovesicles, and zinc oxide nanoparticles after 2020.
Conclusion: The field has transitioned from traditional phytochemical exploration to technology-driven nano formulation and targeted delivery research, with strong interdisciplinary integration across pharmaceutical technology, biomaterials, and nanomedicine. Future directions are expected to focus on standardized green synthesis protocols, advanced targeting strategies, and clinically translatable plant-based nanotherapeutics.
Keywords: Phytopharmaceutical nano delivery; Green synthesized nanoparticles; Targeted drug delivery systems; Plant-derived nanomaterials; Bibliometric analysis
How to cite this article: Aleid MS, Alamer AA, Younis JSK, Albokhadaim I, Elkhair NM, Abdul Manap AS., Natural Products and Phytopharmacology in Advanced Drug Delivery Systems: A WoS–Scopus Bibliometric and Thematic Evolution Study. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(3s): 345-353; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.3s.44