Current advances and future trends of hormesis in disease

Abstract Hormesis, an adaptive response, occurs when exposure to low doses of a stressor potentially induces a stimulatory effect, while higher doses may inhibit it. This phenomenon is widely observed across various organisms and stressors, significantly advancing our understanding and inspiring further exploration of the beneficial effects of toxins at doses both below and beyond traditional thresholds. This has profound implications for promoting biological regulation at the cellular level and enhancing adaptability throughout the biosphere. Therefore, conducting bibliometric analysis in this field is crucial for accurately analyzing and summarizing its current research status. The results of the bibliometric analysis reveal a steady increase in the number of publications in this field over the years. The United States emerges as the leading country in both publication and citation numbers, with the journal Dose–Response publishing the highest number of papers in this area. Calabrese E.J. is a prominent person with significant contributions and influence among authors. Through keyword co-occurrence and trend analysis, current hotspots in this field are identified, primarily focusing on the relationship between hormesis, oxidative stress, and aging. Analysis of highly cited references predicts that future research trends may center around the relationship between hormesis and stress at different doses, as well as exploring the mechanisms and applications of hormesis. In conclusion, this review aims to visually represent hormesis-related research through bibliometric methods, uncovering emerging patterns and areas of focus within the field. It provides a summary of the current research status and forecasts trends in hormesis-related research.