Bibliometric analysis of literature on natural medicines against chronic kidney disease from 2001 to 2024

•Bibliometric analysis of literature on natural medicines and CKD was conducted.•The most productive author, institution, country, and journal were found.•Keywords including oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory, and gut microbiota were standout.•The elucidation of cellular and molecular mechanisms are research trends. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a globally common and progressive disease. There has been few bibliometric study to analyze the status, hot spots, and trends in the field of natural medicines (NMs) against CKD. To comprehensively understand the status, hot spots, and trends in the field of NMs against CKD. The documents concerning NMs against CKD are extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection database (WOSCC). The literature analysis was conducted using VOSviewer 1.6.20 and CiteSpace 6.3.R1 software. In total, 641 publications were encompassed, which were produced by 3 548 authors and 823 organizations, 241 journals, and 56 countries/regions. The most productive author, institution, country, and journal were Li, Ping, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China, and Journal of Ethnopharmacology, respectively. The first high-cited article was published in Medicinal Research Reviews with 457 citations authored by Huang and colleagues in 2007. Oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory, renal fibrosis, and gut microbiota were the emerging keywords. Rhubarb, Astragalus, Angelica, and Cordyceps, which contain anthraquinones, cordycepin, adenosine, or various polysaccharides, are promising NMs to prevent or treat CKD. Currently, the main hot spot is the elucidation of cellular and molecular mechanisms using novel technologies such as network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation. Future studies are needed to focus on the inherent molecular mechanisms and clinical applications. In addition, potential side effects of the bioactive compounds cannot be ignored. [Display omitted]