Caenorhabditis elegans in the research of plants-derived nutraceuticals: a VOSviewer-based trend analysis

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has emerged as a pivotal model organism in nutraceutical research due to its genetic similarities to humans, simple cultivation, and ability to provide rapid insights into molecular mechanisms of aging and health-related conditions. While widely used in aging research, its potential in systematically exploring plant-derived bioactives remains underexplored. This study leverages C. elegans as a model organism to investigate the emerging field of plants extracts, including essential oils, with a focus on nutraceutical applications aimed at improving health and countering aging. Despite the increasing number of studies in this field, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis is still lacking to systematically map research trends, collaboration networks, and thematic shifts. Data for the VOSviewer-based trend analysis was sourced from Scopus, ensuring a comprehensive and reliable dataset (period covered in the analysis: 1991–2024). The keyword co-occurrence analysis reveals a thematic evolution, from foundational topics such as oxidative stress and lifespan extension to more recent investigations into bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. The findings further emphasize the distinct advantages of C. elegans, which make it an excellent model for studying aging and neurodegenerative diseases. The co-authorship analysis identifies active international collaboration networks with China, United States, and Germany emerging as leading contributors. These results along with the high quartile and percentile of the top ten journals ranked by number of documents underscore the rapid expansion and impact of this research area solidifying the role of C. elegans in nutraceutical studies. Nutraceuticals, bridging the gap between food and pharmaceuticals, offer accessible preventative strategies with broad implications for human health. Overall, this paper not only highlights the growing potential of C. elegans in the field but also provides a foundation for innovative approaches in nutraceutical research, paving the way for novel therapeutic applications and interdisciplinary investigations.