Transforming Oral Drug Delivery: A Thrilling Journey of Three Decades of Innovation and Breakthroughs

Abstract

Oral Drug delivery systems (ODDS) play a crucial role in modern pharmacotherapy, enhancing the efficacy and safety of drug treatments. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of drug delivery system (DDS) research trends over the past 32 years (1992–2024), providing new insights into the evolution of this field. Using a dataset of 437 documents from 161 journals, books, and conference proceedings, bibliometric methods were applied to identify influential authors, key research themes, and international collaboration patterns. Co-citation analysis revealed the significant impact of prominent contributors such as Attwood D, Miyazaki S, Kubo W, and Liu Y on advances in DDS. Keyword clustering analysis revealed dominant research themes, including nanoparticles, polymers, oral bioavailability, and targeted delivery. International collaborations accounted for 24.49% of the total co-authorship, reinforcing theinternational nature of DDS research. This review also offers a critical examination of publication growth, highlighting emerging trends such as nanotechnology and personalized medicine, while addressing gaps in clinical translation, mechanistic understanding, and drug resistance. Unlike previous bibliometric studies, this study offers a longitudinal perspective on DDS research, mapping both historical evolution and contemporary developments. The bibliometric methods employed ensure quantifiable information on the trajectory of the field, guiding future research directions and fostering collaborative advances. By synthesizing trends and identifying strategicgaps, this study provides a valuable reference for researchers and policymakers, facilitating evidence-based decision-making to improve drug delivery technologies and therapeutic outcomes