A Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 in Allergic Diseases: Mapping the Knowledge Landscape

Abstract Background Among the members of the Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) family, TRPV1 is distinguished as the primary receptor involved in thermal pain perception, closely associated with temperature changes. Acting as a critical nociceptor and thermosensitive receptor, TRPV1 is pivotal in the domain of allergic diseases. Despite its significance, there is a discernible lack of comprehensive reviews exploring the interactions between TRPV1 and allergic conditions in the academic literature. This study aims to thoroughly examine the relationship between TRPV1 and allergic diseases using bibliometric and visual analysis techniques. Our goal is to uncover the mechanisms by which TRPV1 influences allergic diseases, providing a robust scientific basis for future research directions and potential therapeutic strategies. Methods To investigate the relationship between TRPV1 and allergic diseases, we conducted a comprehensive search in the Web of Science (WoS) database. We employed a suite of analytical tools, including Excel, the WoS online analysis platform, the bibliometrix package in R, and CiteSpace software. These tools facilitated the systematic organization, detailed description, and thorough analysis of the retrieved literature, using co-citation, co-authorship, and co-occurrence visualizations to identify significant patterns and trends. Results This bibliometric analysis encompassed 1,045 articles on TRPV1 and allergic diseases, published by researchers from 57 countries and 1,179 institutions across 369 journals. Publication output remained low until 2008, after which it grew steadily, peaking at 70 articles in 2020. The United States contributed the most publications, followed by China and the United Kingdom. Johns Hopkins University emerged as a central collaborative hub, with Bradley Joel Undem as the most prolific author (30 publications). The most cited study, by Cevikbas et al., explored TRPV1/TRPA1 involvement in T-cell dependent itch. Recent research focuses on mechanisms such as neurogenic pain, itch, sensitization, oxidative stress, and atopic dermatitis, frequently employing mouse models. Conclusion This study provides a detailed analysis of research characteristics, emerging trends, and future directions in the study of TRPV1 and allergic diseases, offering an objective overview of global contributions in this field. It delivers critical insights to inform future investigations on TRP channels and allergic conditions. As an essential thermosensitive receptor, TRPV1 plays a central regulatory role in allergic diseases, with recent research increasingly directed towards developing animal models and clarifying activation mechanisms. Future research is expected to explore the complexities of sensitization mechanisms and receptor expression more deeply.Given its critical role, TRPV1 stands out as a promising pharmacological target for allergic rhinitis, meriting further study and potential therapeutic development. This focus on TRPV1 could lead to novel interventions that improve management and treatment outcomes for allergic conditions.