Front Immunol. 2026 Jan 21;17:1715271. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1715271. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Influenza viruses cause approximately 3 to 5 million severe cases and tens of thousands of deaths globally each year, posing a continuous threat to public health. Nanoparticles with superior biocompatibility, combined with traditional Chinese herbal medicine could offer promising avenues to enhance therapeutic efficacy, improve targeting precision, and address multidrug resistance. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current status and future directions of nanoparticle applications in influenza research, thereby providing more effective and convenient solutions for influenza prevention and control.

METHODS: A publication search was performed using Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, and PubMed from 2005 to 2025 to improve the completeness of publications collection. Bibliometric analyses performed using Bibliometrix, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer software to compensate for the differences in their respective algorithms. The analysis by evaluating publication quantity, Citation Counts, and Co-authorship status to find the core institutions, journals, and key authors. Explore the research hotspots of nanoparticles and influenza through keyword analysis.

RESULT: A total of 3,478 relevant publications were identified. The United States and China were the primary contributors in terms of publication volume, with the Chinese Academy of Sciences leading in institutional contributions. Vaccines emerged as the top-performing journal in this field. Masaru Kanekiyo’s article had the highest local citation count, and he was identified as the author with the greatest individual contribution. Keyword analysis revealed that optimizing delivery systems and advancing vaccine development are central research priorities. Notably, bibliometric analysis revealed that besides metal-based nanoparticles, viral-like particles, polymer nanoparticles, and lipid nanoparticles in the field of delivery system research, herbal small-molecule nanoparticle delivery system has garnered significant attention due to the promise for future clinical applications.

CONCLUSION: Research on nanoparticles in influenza is rapidly advancing, with a primary focus on their application in vaccine development and delivery optimization. The field is also exploring nanoparticles from various sources. Future research should bridge basic mechanistic studies with clinical applications to enhance their impact.

PMID:41646842 | PMC:PMC12867802 | DOI:10.3389/fimmu.2026.1715271