This study aims to examine the key research hotspots and emerging trends in autophagy within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), offering a valuable reference for researchers working in this area. Using visual analysis tools and bibliometric methods, relevant literature on the application of autophagy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was analyzed from the Web of Science Core Collection. By examining authorship, keywords, research contexts, hotspots, and emerging trends, this study systematically explored the current status and development directions of autophagy research in TCM. This study analyzed 916 publications, with Beijing University of Chinese Medicine leading in research output, followed by Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine. Key research themes included apoptosis, activation and inhibition of pathways, oxidative stress, proliferation, NF-κB, cancer, and mTOR. The field of autophagy in TCM has grown steadily in recent years, focusing on its role in treating malignancies, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as its regulation of signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, TLR4, Nrf2, and NF-κB. Emerging areas of interest are likely to include the use of TCM in overcoming chemotherapy resistance, the modulation of mitophagy, activation of autophagy-related functions, and the therapeutic potential of TCM components like luteolin in diseases including cancer, asthma, and myocardial injury.
