MAPPING PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH ON CHICORY (CICHORIUM INTYBUS L.): BIBLIOMETRIC TRENDS AND COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL

Abstract

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), an established industrial crop for inulin and has a record of traditional medicinal use, has increasingly been studied for its pharmacological properties. This study mapped pharmacological research on C. intybus and assessed how far its structure supports commercial product pathways. The study covers Scopus records for 2010–2026, which were screened against predefined criteria, and 168 articles were analysed in Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny following PRISMA 2020. Annual output increased from one article in 2010 to 24 in 2025. China, India, Egypt, Iran and Pakistan produced 51.2% of articles; international collaboration was limited (27.3%), and the co-citation network was fragmented into seven communities. Polyphenols, bioactive compounds and chicory root were central, developed themes; inulin, inflammation and obesity were central but less developed; sesquiterpene lactones and anthelmintic activity were peripheral. Evidence was predominantly preclinical, with eight potential application pathways emerging, including standardised extracts, metabolic and hepatic nutraceuticals, gut-health ingredients, antimicrobial agents and veterinary products. The study identifies potential commercial pathways for chicory-derived products while highlighting the need for clinical validation, product-specific safety assessment and techno-economic evaluation to establish their commercial viability.