Enteroendocrine cells as druggable gut sensors: a bibliometric and pharmacological target mapping analysis (1980–2025)

Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) are the sensory interface of the gut epithelium and the cellular source of hormones targeted by several established drug classes, yet no quantitative map of this research field is available. We analysed 3,652 original articles published between 1980 and 2025 and indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. Performance analysis, collaboration and co-word networks, Kleinberg burst detection, co-citation analysis and dictionary-based mapping of 31 pharmacological targets and drug classes were combined. Annual output rose from 10 to 201 articles (compound annual growth rate 6.9%), and the corpus accumulated 206,196 citations (h-index 190). The United States contributed 30.9% of the articles, whereas China showed the steepest recent growth, rising from 7.8% to 20.4% of articles between 2010–2017 and 2018–2025. Reimann F, Gribble FM and Holst JJ were the most influential authors. Co-word analysis resolved three domains: incretin and metabolic signalling, serotonin and gut–brain/disease signalling, and EEC development studied with stem cells and organoids. Bursts for gut microbiota, organoids, the gut–brain axis and single-cell RNA sequencing remained active in 2025. Overall, 34.6% of the articles addressed at least one pharmacological target. The GLP-1 receptor, taste receptors and 5-HT3/5-HT4 receptors were the most frequent targets, whereas Piezo2, the farnesoid X receptor, Toll-like receptors, TRPM5/TRPV1, the GIP receptor and FFAR2/FFAR3 emerged fastest and classic serotonergic agents declined. These findings position EECs as a druggable sensory platform that extends beyond incretin therapy and identify mechanosensory, microbial metabolite and bile acid pathways as priorities for pharmacological research.