Depression has long been a major topic of global academic interest, yet its study within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has historically been underexplored. Only after entering the 21st century did TCM-related depression research accelerate, with a steady rise in publications across mainstream journals. A major gap in the field is the absence of a comprehensive overview describing how this research area has evolved and what core issues have been examined. Thus, this work set out to summarise the development trajectory, identify research patterns, and point to future directions for investigators in this domain. Studies published between January 1, 2000 and April 20, 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Indicators such as authorship, affiliations, keyword patterns, national contributions, references, citation counts, and co-citation networks were extracted and assessed. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used to perform quantitative evaluations, generate visual maps, and offer scientific insights.
A total of 921 articles were identified. Publication output rose sharply from 2017 to 2021, stabilising at over 140 papers during 2022–2023, which together represented 31.38% of all documents. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology led in publication volume (97 articles), total citations (2067), and co-citations (1369). China stood out with 847 publications and 13256 citations, while Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (90 publications, 1232 citations) and researcher Qin Xuemei (30 publications, 759 citations) were the most productive institution and author, respectively. Keyword clustering revealed nine coherent thematic groups, dominated by randomised controlled trials, TCM studies, and hippocampal neurogenesis. Timeline results showed that from 2000–2010, focus centred on hippocampal mechanisms and forced swimming test models; during 2010–2020, emphasis shifted to controlled trials and neurogenesis; after 2020, network pharmacology became central. Burst keyword analysis showed early surges (before 2010) in terms such as forced swimming test, Tail Suspension Test, Chronic Cold Stress, neural repair, and Banxia Houpu Decoction, while post-2020 bursts highlighted network pharmacology and molecular docking. This investigation systematically reviewed and synthesised research themes and trends in this domain from a 21st-century bibliometric perspective. The visual outputs provide a clear overview of research trajectories, leading teams, institutional networks, and emerging focal points for future inquiry.
