## 2 Bibliometric Analysis
### Authors' Keywords Analysis
Despite their potential, cytotoxicity and biocompatibility remain critical concerns, particularly for clinical and food applications. Studies indicate that low-concentration AgNP formulations using plant extracts, such as _Calotropis gigantea_, can balance antimicrobial efficacy while minimizing cytotoxic effects [85]. Alternative nanomaterials like zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO\({}_{2}\)) provide additional antimicrobial benefits, mainly through photodynamic activity and ROS production, which may enhance antibacterial action under specific conditions [80; 86]. Encapsulation in polymer matrices or conjugation with other nanoparticles has been explored to improve stability and controlled release, extending shelf-life and reducing toxicity risks [86]. However, toxicity, biodegradability, and regulatory challenges persist, with ecotoxicological concerns surrounding AgNP environmental accumulation and potential harm to non-target organisms [87]. Regulatory approval demands extensive safety assessments, emphasizing the need for standardized protocols and long-term impact studies to facilitate clinical and commercial applications [85]. The sixth cluster, \"Antifungal activity\" (Cyan; RGB: 50, 200, 200), focuses on the potential of plant-based compounds to combat fungal pathogens. The most frequent words in this cluster are antifungal activity (368 occurrences), _Candida albicans_ (305), and candidiasis (178). The repeated presence of _Candida_ and related terms suggests a strong focus on this fungal pathogen responsible for significant opportunistic infections. The cluster highlights research on traditional antifungal agents such as Amphotericin B and novel plant-derived compounds. The average publication year of 2017.89 suggests that while this research field is well established, it continues to evolve with emerging therapeutic strategies. For instance, Hinokitiol exhibited antifungal activity against fluconazole- and caspfungin-resistant _C. albicans_ strains, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 8.21 \(\mu\)g/mL [88]. Plant-derived antifungal compounds exhibit potent activity against _C. albicans_ and other fungal pathogens, primarily by disrupting cell membrane integrity, interfering with ergosterol biosynthesis, and modulating metabolic pathways [89; 90; 91]. Additionally, phytochemicals enhance ergosterol disruption, reinforcing their antifungal action [90; 91]. While plant-based antifungals often exhibit lower potency than fluconazole or amphotericin B, they have demonstrated synergistic effects when combined with conventional drugs, improving their efficacy by inhibiting drug efflux and increasing membrane damage [92]. This synergy suggests that integrating natural compounds into antifungal regimens may enhance therapeutic outcomes while reducing synthetic drug doses, potentially mitigating resistance development [93]. Furthermore, plant-derived antifungal proteins offer alternative mechanisms that interfere with fungal resistance pathways, highlighting new strategies for circumventing traditional antifungal resistance [94; 95]. Beyond clinical applications, plant-derived antifungals are increasingly used in food preservation, where essential oils and phytochemicals inhibit fungal contamination, extending shelf-life [74; 96]. Compounds such as eugenol, which is classified as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe), demonstrate dual functionality in food safety and health applications [96]. Additionally, these compounds are being explored for biomedical coatings and medical devices, as they offer broad-spectrum antifungal activity with lower toxicity than synthetic antifungals [97; 98]. However, challenges remain in the stability and bioavailability of plant-based antifungals, as many compounds are prone to degradation under environmental conditions [93]. Nanotechnology-based delivery systems are being investigated to enhance stability, targeted delivery, and sustained release, ensuring consistent antifungal activity [98].