A bibliometric analysis of global research on plant-derived antimicrobials targeting Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (2004–2024)

The global surge in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) necessitates alternative therapeutic strategies, with plant-derived extracts emerging as promising candidates against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Despite substantial experimental research, the global structure, thematic evolution, and collaborative landscape of this field remain uncharted. This study presents the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis of plant-based anti-MRSA research spanning two decades (2004-2024). A total of 1,468 publications across 535 peer-reviewed journals were analyzed using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix in R. Key findings include: (1) a shift from a Western-centric foundation to a polycentric, Global South-led collaboration network, despite Asia's dominance in output (China: 526; India: 427 publications); (2) a four-phase thematic evolution progressing from ethnobotanical screening to a frontier focused on nanoformulations and dual-target (antimicrobial/anti-inflammatory) strategies; and (3) identification of critical gaps between publication volume and translational progress. Scholarly output is highly collaborative (average 6.35 authors per document; 27.52% international collaborations) and exhibits strong citation visibility (28.18 citations/document). These insights provide an evidence-based framework to guide global collaboration, prioritize research funding, and accelerate the translation of plant-derived compounds into clinically viable anti-MRSA therapeutics.