Objective To apply bibliometric methods to review the research progress, hotspots and frontiers of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in regulating mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), summarize the regulatory mechanisms, and provide data support and directional guidance for subsequent research and research planning. Methods Relevant Chinese and English literature were retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and Web of Science Core Collection using TCM and mtROS as search terms or keywords, with the search period covering from database inception to March 31, 2026. CiteSpace, VOSviewer and Bibliometrix were applied to complete the visualization presentation and construction of the knowledge graph. Statistical analyses were performed on annual publication volumes, countries, institutions, authors, journals and keywords. Scientific research collaboration networks, co-occurrence clustering and keyword burst detection analyses were also carried out. Results A total of 1 026 Chinese articles and 649 English articles were included. Knowledge maps showed a sustained growth in annual publication output. China dominated this research field, while domestic and international cooperation networks were not well-developed. Core research institutions included Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine and Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine. The most productive journals were Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae and Journal of Ethnopharmacology. The top five keywords in Chinese literature were oxidative stress, mitochondria, TCM, Chinese herbal medicine and mechanisms of action; the top five keywords in English literature were oxidative stress, apoptosis, activation, TCM and reactive oxygen species. Keyword burst analysis indicated that the research frontier is shifting from basic antioxidant mechanisms toward precise mechanisms such as network pharmacology, molecular docking and ferroptosis. Conclusion Research on TCM regulating mtROS has become a growing research hotspot in recent years and will draw more academic attention, while interdisciplinary cooperation needs to be further strengthened. The combined application of network pharmacology and molecular docking is gradually becoming an emerging trend in this field.

traditional Chinese medicine  /  mitochondrial reactive oxygen species  /  oxidative stress  /  bibliometrics  /  ferroptosis  /  network pharmacology  /  molecular docking