Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis of Curcumin Research: Trends and Developments from 1937 to 2025

Abstract

Curcumin is a bioactive compound produced from turmeric (Curcuma longa) with multiple health benefits and potential therapeutic applications. Due to its pharmacological activities and potential to address various diseases, several investigations have been carried out to provide comprehensive bibliometric analysis of curcumin research from 1937 to 2025. Therefore, this research aimed to elucidate the trends and developments of curcumin by examining various bibliometric markers, including article count, citation count, and H-index. By using Scopus database and VOSviewer (Visualization of Similarities Viewer) software, the analysis identified key contributors, journals, and countries that had significantly influenced the understanding of curcumin's properties and applications. The results showed that there was a significant growth in research activity over the years, with India serving as a major contributor, followed by the United States. The International Journal of Biological Macromolecules and the Journal of Ethnopharmacology were identified as top journals in terms of article count and citations. Furthermore, keyword co-occurrence and collaborative networks among authors, institutions, and countries were investigated. By providing a quantitative perspective on the evolution of curcumin research, this analysis offered valuable insights into current hotspots and future directions in the dynamic multidisciplinary field. These results were expected to attract research teams and motivate further exploration of curcumin's medicinal potential, particularly in wound healing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer applications.