A Visual Analysis of Network Pharmacology Research Trends

Objective: To understand the current situation of network pharmacology, and to analyze external and internal characteristics of literature, is of great significance for the development of network pharmacology in the future and its application in the modernization of Chinese medicine. Methods: Bibliometrics were adapted to perform visual analysis on the research status of network pharmacology with Citespace and SPSS for windows 22.0 version (IBM, Armonk, New York, USA). Knowledge map was used to analyze the knowledge system in the field, to identify the research hotspots and dynamic frontiers, and to elaborate the research status and development trend of domestic network pharmacology. Results: The research on network pharmacology in China is at the stage of the formation and construction of basic theories. At present, we focuses on the solution of actual disease problems and basic theoretical research, while the application in the research field of traditional Chinese medicine is a new hot spot and trend in the future development. Conclusions: It is important to pay attention to the connection and communication among the knowledge groups, so that a systematic knowledge system can be formed in the field of network pharmacology in domestic as soon as possible.