Global Research Trends and Thematic Development on the Biological Protective Effects of Boron: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis (1990–2025)

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 6, 844 - 860, 30.11.2025

Aşkın Tekin

https://doi.org/10.35229/jaes.1773399

Abstract

This study aims to provide a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the biological protective effects of boron, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to map the field’s structural characteristics, conceptual evolution, and research dynamics. Articles published between 1 January 1990 and 6 August 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection using a topic-based search strategy with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. After filtering by document type, language, and subject categories, a total of 848 articles were included. Data were analyzed using the Bibliometrix R package (version 2025.05.0) and its Biblioshiny interface, while VOSviewer (version 1.6.18) was employed to visualize co-authorship networks at the author and institutional levels.
This study delivers an integrated overview of the current state and thematic orientation of research on the biological protective effects of boron. The results provide a robust reference framework to guide future investigations, foster international collaboration, and promote the strategic development of this interdisciplinary domain.

Keywords

Boron , Biological protective effects , Oxidative stress , Bibliometric analysis

Borun biyolojik koruyucu etkileri üzerine küresel araştırma eğilimleri ve tematik gelişmeler: Kapsamlı bir bibliyometrik analiz (1990–2025)

Abstract

Bu çalışma, alanın yapısal özelliklerini, kavramsal gelişimini ve araştırma dinamiklerini haritalandırmak için nicel ve nitel yaklaşımları birleştirerek borun biyolojik koruyucu etkilerine ilişkin kapsamlı bir bibliyometrik analiz sunmayı amaçlamaktadır. 1 Ocak 1990 ile 6 Ağustos 2025 tarihleri arasında yayınlanan makaleler, belirli dahil etme ve hariç tutma kriterleri ile konu bazlı bir arama stratejisi kullanılarak Web of Science Core Collection'dan elde edilmiştir. Belge türü, dil ve konu kategorilerine göre filtrelendikten sonra, toplam 848 makale dahil edilmiştir. Veriler, Bibliometrix R paketi (sürüm 2025.05.0) ve Biblioshiny arayüzü kullanılarak analiz edilirken, VOSviewer (sürüm 1.6.18) yazar ve kurumsal düzeylerde ortak yazarlık ağlarını görselleştirmek için kullanılmıştır.
Bu çalışma, borun biyolojik koruyucu etkileri üzerine yapılan araştırmaların mevcut durumu ve tematik yönelimine ilişkin entegre bir genel bakış sunmaktadır. Sonuçlar, gelecekteki araştırmalara rehberlik etmek, uluslararası işbirliğini teşvik etmek ve bu disiplinlerarası alanın stratejik gelişimini desteklemek için sağlam bir referans çerçevesi sağlamaktadır.

Keywords

Bor , Biyolojik koruyucu etkiler , Oksidatif stres , Bibliyometrik analiz

References

• Abdelwahab, S.I., Moni, S.S., Taha, M.M.E., Sahli, K.A., Alqhtani, H.A.S., Farasani, M.M., ..., & Ibrahim, A. (2025). Mapping breast cancer research on monoclonal antibodies: a data-driven approach using VOSviewer, Bibliometrix, and CiteSpace. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, 1-21. DOI: 10.1007/s00210-025- 04401-7
• Al Khalif, O., & Sezer, G. (2025). Concentration- Dependent Effects of Boric Acid on Osteogenic Differentiation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. Biological Trace Element Research, 203(2), 953- 962. DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04204-6
• Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, C. (2017). Bibliometrix: An R- tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(4), 959-975. DOI: 0.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007
• Araújo, M.D.S., Otto, R., Lavres, J., Barretto, V.C.D.M., & Cherubin, M.R. (2024). A gist of current understanding about soil-plant boron nutritional status in eucalyptus: a bibliometric review. Scientia Agricola, 82, e20230186. DOI: 10.1590/1678-992X-2023-0186
• Aung, Y.Y., Kristanti, A.N., Lee, H.V., & Fahmi, M.Z. (2021). Boronic-acid-modified nanomaterials for biomedical applications. ACS Omega, 6(28), 17750-17765. DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c01352
• Ayanwale, M.A., Molefi, R.R., & Oyeniran, S. (2024). Analyzing the evolution of machine learning integration in educational research: a bibliometric perspective. Discover Education, 3(1), 47. DOI: 10.1007/s44217-024-00119-5
• Aykal, M.B., Gecin, M.N., Sogut, I., Kar, F.A.T.İ.H., & Taskin, A.C. (2024). Effects of Boric acid as Maternal Feed Additives on the Development and Sex Ratio of Mouse pups. Biological Trace Element Research, 202(12), 5572-5579. DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04099-3
• Başeğmez, M., & Doğan, M. F. (2024). Effects of Boric acid on Oxidant-antioxidant, Proinflammatory Cytokine Levels, and Biochemical Parameters in Aged Rats. Pamukkale Medical Journal, 17(2), 369-379. DOI: 10.31362/patd.1438593
• Başer, Ö.F., Karapehlivan, M., Kükürt, A., Uysal, A.Y., Kafkas, E., & Dağ, S. (2025). Protective Effect of Boric Acid Against 3-NPA-Induced Ovarian Damage. Biological Trace Element Research, 1- 14. DOI: 10.1007/s12011-025-04725-8
• Cheng, Z., Qiao, Z., An, S., Liu, J., Ma, W., & Hao, P. (2025). A Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization of Research Trends and Hotspots in Actinic Keratosis Based on Web of Science. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 1507-1519. DOI: 10.2147/CCID.S525492
• Cikler-Dulger, E., & Sogut, I. (2020). Investigation of the protective effects of boric acid on ethanol induced kidney injury. Biotechnic & Histochemistry, 95(3), 186-193. DOI: 10.1080/10520295.2019.1662086
• Cong, Y., Abulimiti, M., Matsumoto, Y., & Jin, J. (2024). Current research trends and hotspots of boron neutron capture therapy: a bibliometric and visualization analysis. Frontiers in Oncology, 14, 1507157. DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1507157
• Çolak, S., Koc, K., Yıldırım, S., & Geyikoğlu, F. (2022). Effects of boric acid on ovarian tissue damage caused by experimental ischemia/reperfusion. Biotechnic & Histochemistry, 97(6), 415-422. DOI: 10.1080/10520295.2021.2012823
• Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285-296. DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070
• Du, C., Yu, Y., & Fan, X. (2024). Analysis of research trends (2014-2023) on oxidative stress and male fertility based on bibliometrics and knowledge graphs. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 15, 1326402. DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1326402
• Elevli, B., Yaman, İ., & Laratte, B. (2022). Estimation of the Turkish boron exportation to Europe. Mining, 2(2), 155-169. DOI: 10.3390/mining2020009
• Erguven, P., Tanrikulu-Kucuk, S., Sevgin, K., Degirmencioglu, S., Cetinalp, P., Aksu, S., ..., & Sogut, I. (2025). Protective effects of boric acid on HBV-transgenic mice with chronic alcohol consumption: An experimental study. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 768, 151956. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2025.151956
• García-León, R. A., Martínez-Trinidad, J., & Campos- Silva, I. (2021). Historical review on the boriding process using bibliometric analysis. Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals, 74(3), 541-557. DOI: 10.1007/s12666-020-02174-6
• Guo, S.B., Feng, X.Z., Huang, W.J., Zhou, Z.Z., & Tian, X.P. (2024). Global research hotspots, development trends and prospect discoveries of phase separation in cancer: a decade-long informatics investigation. Biomarker Research, 12(1), 39. DOI: 10.1186/s40364-024-00587-9
• Gündoğdu, A.Ç., Özbayer, C., & Kar, F. (2024). Boric acid alleviates gastric ulcer by regulating oxidative stress and inflammation-related multiple signaling pathways. Biological Trace Element Research, 202(5), 2124-2132. DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03817-7
• Güney, T.G., Çalışkan, A., Kar, F., Gündoğdu, A.Ç., & Özbayer, C. (2022). Sıçan böbrek dokusunda etanolün akut toksisitesi ve borik asitin koruyucu rolü. Biological Diversity and Conservation, 15(1), 107-113. DOI: 10.46309/biodicon.2022.1084827
• Han, M., Niu, H., Duan, F., Wang, Z., Zhang, Z., & Ren, H. (2024). Research status and development trends of omics in neuroblastoma: a bibliometric and visualization analysis. Frontiers in Oncology, 14, 1383805. DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1383805
• Ince, S., Erdogan, M., Demirel, H.H., Agca, Y., Dal, G., & Uguz, C. (2018). Boron enhances early embryonic gene expressions and improves fetal development of rats. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 50, 34-46. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.06.002
• Järvinen, J., Pulkkinen, H., Rautio, J., & Timonen, J. M. (2023). Amino acid-based boron carriers in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Pharmaceutics, 15(12), 2663. DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15122663
• Kan, F., & Kucukkurt, I. (2023). The effects of boron on some biochemical parameters: A review. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 79, 127249. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127249
• Keyif, B., & Hacioglu, C. (2025). Boric Acid Suppresses Cell Survival by Triggering Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress‐Induced Autophagy in Cervical Cancers. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 29(14), e70740. DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.70740
• Khaliq, H., Juming, Z., & Ke-Mei, P. (2018). The physiological role of boron on health. Biological Trace Element Research, 186(1), 31-51. DOI: 10.1007/s12011-018-1284-3
• Kumar, R., Saxena, S., Kumar, V., Prabha, V., Kumar, R., & Kukreti, A. (2024). Service innovation research: a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer. Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal, 34(4), 736-760. DOI: 10.1108/CR-01-2023-0010
• Li, F., Hu, C., & Luo, X. (2025). Research hotspots and frontiers of machine learning in renal medicine: a bibliometric and visual analysis from 2013 to 2024. International Urology and Nephrology, 57(3), 907-928. DOI: 10.1007/s11255-024- 04259-3
• Luo, T., Huang, W., Chu, F., Zhu, T., Feng, B., Huang, S., ..., & Zeng, W. (2023). The dawn of a new era: tumor-targeting boron agents for neutron capture therapy. Molecular Pharmaceutics, 20(10), 4942- 4970. DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00701
• Ma, L., Ma, J., Teng, M., & Li, Y. (2022). Visual analysis of colorectal cancer immunotherapy: a bibliometric analysis from 2012 to 2021. Frontiers in Immunology, 13, 843106. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.843106
• Mahanta, D.K., Krishnappa, C., & Bhoi, T.K. (2025). Microbial Control of Forest Insect Pests Over 60 Years (1964–2024): Network Analysis and Bibliometric Mapping. Journal of Natural Pesticide Research, 12, 100132. DOI: 10.1016/j.napere.2025.100132
• Moussa, F.H., Akbas, E., Yuzbasioglu, D., & Unal, F. (2025). Boric Acid Prevents MMC-and H₂O₂- Related DNA Damage: Evidence from Cytogenetic and Comet Assays. Biol Trace Elem Res, 1-20. DOI: 10.1007/s12011-025-04704-z
• Mustatea, G., Mocanu, A. L., Stroe, C. A., Berca, L., & Ungureanu, E. L. (2025). Bibliometric analysis on carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessment of heavy metals from cereal products. Exploration of Foods and Foodomics, 3, 101094. DOI: 10.37349/eff.2025.101094
• Nielsen, F.H. (2008). Is boron nutritionally relevant?. Nutrition Reviews, 66(4), 183-191. DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2008.00023.x
• Ogura, S., & Shimosawa, T. (2014). Oxidative stress and organ damages. Current Hypertension Reports, 16(8), 452. DOI: 10.1007/s11906-014-0452-5.
• Öz, M. (2025). Effects of boric acid on oxidative stress parameters, growth performance and blood parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Biological Trace Element Research, 203(3), 1647-1655. DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024- 04276-4
• Pizzino, G., Irrera, N., Cucinotta, M., Pallio, G., Mannino, F., Arcoraci, V., ..., & Bitto, A. (2017). Oxidative stress: harms and benefits for human health. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 8416763. DOI: 10.1155/2017/8416763
• Pranckutė, R. (2021). Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus: The titans of bibliographic information in today’s academic world. Publications, 9(1), 12. DOI: 10.3390/publications9010012
• Prashanth, L., Kattapagari, K.K., Chitturi, R.T., Baddam, V.R.R., & Prasad, L.K. (2015). A review on role of essential trace elements in health and disease. Journal of Dr. YSR University of Health Sciences, 4(2), 75-85. DOI: 10.4103/2277- 8632.158577
• Rondanelli, M., Faliva, M.A., Peroni, G., Infantino, V., Gasparri, C., Iannello, G., ..., & Tartara, A. (2020). Pivotal role of boron supplementation on bone health: A narrative review. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 62, 126577. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2020.126577
• Tang, R., Zhang, S., Ding, C., Zhu, M., & Gao, Y. (2022). Artificial intelligence in intensive care medicine: bibliometric analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(11), e42185. DOI: 10.2196/42185
• Tekin, A., Güner, A., & Akkan, T. (2025). Protective effect of Boric Acid Against Ochratoxin A- Induced toxic effects in human embryonal kidney cells (HEK293): a study on cytotoxic, genotoxic, oxidative, and apoptotic effects. Biological Trace Element Research, 203(2), 810-821. DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04194-5
• Tsilika, K. (2023). Exploring the contributions to mathematical economics: a bibliometric analysis using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer. Mathematics, 11(22), 4703. DOI: 10.3390/math11224703
• Turkez, H., Yıldırım, S., Sahin, E., Arslan, M.E., Emsen, B., Tozlu, O.O., ..., & Mardinoglu, A. (2022). Boron compounds exhibit protective effects against aluminum-induced neurotoxicity and genotoxicity: In vitro and in vivo study. Toxics, 10(8), 428. DOI: 10.3390/toxics10080428
• Uluisik, I., Karakaya, H.C., & Koc, A. (2018). The importance of boron in biological systems. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 45, 156-162. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2017.10.008
• Uysal, S., & Yoruk, M.A. (2025). Boric Acid in Milk Replacer as a Health Enhancer and Growth Promoter for Lambs in the Suckling Period. Biological Trace Element Research, 203(2), 850- 860. DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04214-4
• Vătămănescu, E.M., Dominici, G., Ciuciuc, V.E., Vițelar, A., & Anghel, F.G. (2024). Connecting smart mobility and car sharing using a systematic literature review. An outlook using Bibliometrix. Journal of Cleaner Production, 485, 144333. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.144333
• Wan, D., Tang, R., Cao, S., & Zan, Q. (2023). Mapping the Relationship Between Selenium and Bone: A Bibliometric Analysis Covering 1980-2023. Current Research in Medical Sciences, 2(2), 83- 94. DOI: 10.56397/CRMS.2023.06.12
• Wang, J., Chi, Y., Yang, B., Zhang, Q., Wang, D., He, X., & Li, H. (2022). The application of biomaterials in osteogenesis: A bibliometric and visualized analysis. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 10, 998257. DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.998257
• Wei, W., & Jiang, Z. (2023). A bibliometrix-based visualization analysis of international studies on conversations of people with aphasia: Present and prospects. Heliyon, 9(6), e16839. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16839
• Xi, W., & Suhaiza, Z. (2025). Alternative food networks in supply Chains: A Biblio-metric analysis using RStudio and VOSViewer (1989-2024). Waste Management Bulletin, 100215. DOI: 10.1016/j.wmb.2025.100215
• Yaylacı, E.U. (2021). Antibacterial Effects of Boric Acid Against Aquatic Pathogens. Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences, 6(2), 240- 244. DOI: 10.53445/batd.1309813
• Zhang, X., Jiang, Y., Cai, T., Huang, Z., Wu, Y., & Zhang, J. (2025). Ketogenic Diet and Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases: A Bibliometric Study and Visualization Analysis. Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders-Drug Targets, 25(8), 648- 664. DOI: 10.2174/0118715303317289240820114329
• Zhang, X., Wang, G., & Chen, S. (2025). Boric Acid Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice. Biological Trace Element Research, 203(3), 1494-1501. DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04240-2
• Zhong, Z., Guo, H., & Qian, K. (2024). Deciphering the impact of machine learning on education: Insights from a bibliometric analysis using bibliometrix R- package. Education and Information Technologies, 29(16), 21995-22022. DOI: 10.1007/s10639-024-12734-8.