Research Status Quo in Traditional Mongolian Medicine: A Bibliometric Analysis on Research Documents in the Web of Science Database.

Tae-Hun Kim,Jung Won Kang,Zhaohui Liang

doi:10.1155/2021/5088129

Abstract

Objective In this study, the current state of research on traditional Mongolian medicine (TMM) through a bibliometric analysis of research documents located in the Web of Science (WoS) database was assessed. Methods The WoS database was searched on September 2021 with the keywords “traditional Mongolian medicine.” Publications on TMM scientific research were included in this study, without any language limitations. Bibliometric data from such publications were retrieved from the WoS database. Full records with cited reference lists were descriptively analyzed. To assess trends in TMM research topics, authors' keywords were analyzed. A thematic evolution map based on coword analysis was suggested. To analyze research networks among co-authors, affiliations, or countries of the authors, collaboration networks were evaluated. The Bibliometrix R package (3.1) was used for the analysis. Results A total of 234 scientific publications were included in the analysis. The top three countries of origin of the corresponding authors were China (n = 153), Japan (n = 28), and South Korea (n = 9). The top three relevant affiliations of the authors in the included publications were “Inner Mongolia Medical University,” “Inner Mongolia University of Nationalities,” and “National University of Mongolia.” “Flavonoids,” “cytotoxicity,” “NMR,” and “Tibetan medicine” were the most frequently used keywords in the included documents. Most publications focused on the chemical analysis and mechanism of effects of Mongolian herbal medications. There were few publications on nonpharmacological interventions such as bloodletting or TMM diagnostics, which should be promoted in future publications. Conclusion There were only a limited number of publications on TMM identified through a search of the WoS database, using the keywords “Traditional Mongolian medicine.” More improved strategy for searching for TMM publications must be established. Research publications on TMM, especially regarding nonpharmacological interventions, need to be promoted. In addition, collaboration with researchers worldwide needs to be encouraged in the future.

Highlights

Traditional medicine is defined as a system of medicine established based on specific cultural beliefs that pass on from generation to generation [1]
The literature on traditional Mongolian medicine (TMM) was identified through an electronic database search. e Web of Science (WoS), which includes extensive research literature with detailed information on the authors, institutions, countries of the authors, and reference lists, was searched, and any literature identified until September 2021 was included in this study. e purpose of this study was to evaluate the current status of research on TMM worldwide; reports, books, or journals that were available only in Mongolia were not included. e search strategy for the WoS is as follows
No limitations were imposed in terms of the type of literature if it was searched in the WoS database. ere were no linguistic limitations in this study

Summary

Introduction

Traditional medicine is defined as a system of medicine established based on specific cultural beliefs that pass on from generation to generation [1]. Research on traditional medicine can provide evidence on the effectiveness and safety of its interventions in the local areas where it is used and offers guidance on novel drug development processes to global pharmaceutical companies [3]. In this sense, research publications on traditional medicine must be identifiable and accessible outside the local region. To study research trends and collaboration in a specific field, these data are analyzed using mathematical calculation methods, and the results are generally suggested as figures or network graphs, which provide a basic clue as the first step to understanding the current research status in the corresponding field [5]

Methods

Results

Conclusion