Bibliometric analysis of neutrophil elastase research in the post-COVID-19 era: trends, frontiers, differential mapping, and emerging trends

• Published in: Discover applied sciences Vol. 7; no. 4; pp. 265 - 22
• Main Authors: Abdelwahab, Siddig Ibrahim, Al-Zubairi, Adel S., Taha, Manal Mohamed Elhassan, Oraibi, Bassem, Alfaifi, Hassan Ahmad, Aljahdali, Ieman A., Jerah, Ahmed Ali, Abdullah, Saleh M., Farasani, Abdullah, Babiker, Yasir, Alabsi, Aied M., Elmanna, Abdalla
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 26.03.2025; Springer Nature B.V; Springer
• Subjects: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Applied and Technical Physics; Bibliometric analysis; Bibliometrics; Biomarkers; Chemistry/Food Science; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Citation analysis; Co authorship; Collaboration; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Cystic fibrosis; Earth Sciences; Elastase; Emphysema; Engineering; Environment; Enzymes; Hirsch index; Immune system; Inflammation; Leukocytes (neutrophilic); Lung diseases; Materials Science; Medical Subject Headings-MeSH; Neutrophil elastase; Neutrophils; Pandemics; Pathogenesis; Pathophysiology; Respiratory diseases; Review; Serine proteinase; Thematic mapping; Therapeutic applications; Trends; United States > US; Acute respiratory distress syndrome; COVID-19; Lung diseases; Therapeutic strategies; Cystic fibrosis; Neutrophil elastase; Bibliometric analysis
• ISSN: 3004-9261; 2523-3963; 3004-9261; 2523-3971
• DOI: 10.1007/s42452-025-06551-y

Background/objectives Neutrophil elastase (NE) is a serine protease primarily produced by neutrophils, playing a pivotal role in various physiological and pathological processes. This study aimed to provide insights into the research landscape surrounding NE and its implications in the post-COVID-19 era. Methods The current study employed a cross-sectional design based on bibliometric analysis. Articles were retrieved from the Scopus database and analyzed quantitatively using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix software to evaluate publication trends, authorship patterns, citation dynamics, and emerging research themes. Results The analysis highlighted countries and institutions significantly contributing to NE research, revealing global trends and hotspots. Collaboration patterns were assessed, showcasing productive partnerships within the field. Key research topics identified include NE’s roles in inflammation, tissue damage, and disease pathogenesis. The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the thematic map of NE research, driving focus toward NE's involvement in COVID-19 pathophysiology, therapeutic interventions, and its role in complications associated with the disease. Conclusions This bibliometric analysis offers a comprehensive view of NE research, focusing on its functions, pathophysiological roles, and implications for diseases such as lung disorders and COVID-19, providing a foundation for future research directions. Article Highlights In the viewpoint of NE framework, data available after the COVID pandemic demonstrates a new trend toward NE, its biology including interactions with neutrophils and the consequences it has for development of respiratory diseases. These findings offer scope for enrichment of targeted therapies, biomarker discovery, better diagnosis, and pathophysiology based interventions for respiratory disorders. This study highlights the necessity to comprehend the function of NE in situations such as coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis.