Pharmaceutical Adulteration and Toxic Contaminants in Herbal Products: Global Bibliometric Trends and Forensic-Toxicological Implications
International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine,
Vol. 16 (2026),
1 January 2026
,
Page 1-8
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijmtfm.v16.53141
Abstract
Background: Herbal products may contain undeclared pharmaceuticals, toxic elements, pesticides, mycotoxins, or substituted botanicals. This study maps these hazards globally and links bibliometric patterns with forensic-toxicological priorities.
Methods: English-language Scopus articles (2005-2025) were screened using predefined criteria. After metadata, title/abstract, and keyword cleaning, 745 of 1,357 records were analyzed with Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny and VOSviewer 1.6.20.
Results: The 745 articles appeared in 378 sources. Output rose from 11 articles in 2006 to 90 in 2025 (11.7% annual growth); international co-authorship was 17.32%. Major themes were pharmaceutical adulteration, toxic elements, pesticides, mycotoxins, botanical authentication, and advanced analytical methods.
Conclusion: Research has expanded, but detection remains weakly linked to exposure and defensible forensic attribution. Priorities are standardized market sampling, confirmatory workflows, exposure-based assessment, product-to-patient linkage, and international surveillance.
- Herbal products;
- Pharmaceutical adulteration
- Toxic contamination
- Forensic toxicology
- Bibliometric analysis
How to Cite
References
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