Mapping the global research output of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a comprehensive bibliometric analysis based on multiple databases (2000-2025).

OBJECTIVE: The application of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in managing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has attracted growing interest in the academic community. However, a comprehensive quantitative analysis of its therapeutic effects on MASLD remains lacking. This research seeks to analyze the current landscape and research trends in TCM treatment for MASLD from 2000 to 2025, thereby offering insights and guidance for future investigations. METHODS: We extracted relevant literature published from 2000 to 2025 from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The collected data were then processed, analyzed, and graphically represented using Origin, R software, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace. RESULTS: A total of 889 articles (from Web of Science) and 983 articles (from Scopus) were included in the study. From 2000 to 2025, the number of publications demonstrated a consistent upward trend, with particularly significant growth occurring between 2019 and 2022, followed by a slight decline in 2023. China is the leading country in publication output and holds a pivotal position in fostering international research collaboration. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology is the most productive journal in this area. Current research hotspots primarily center on exploring the potential mechanisms of TCM interventions for MASLD, their clinical applications, and the identification and utilization of bioactive components. Mechanistic studies mainly focus on "regulating lipid metabolism," "anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects," and "reversing gut dysbiosis." Notably, the biotransformation role of gut microbiota is gradually emerging as a key research area. CONCLUSION: As a traditional medical system with multi-target effects and holistic regulatory advantages, TCM is gaining increasing attention in the management and prevention of MASLD. This study provides a comprehensive overview and evaluation of current research on TCM in the treatment of MASLD, providing valuable insights for future studies in this field.