Leukaemia comprises a set of neoplastic diseases of the blood and bone marrow where there is an aberration in multiple white blood cells, particularly lymphocytes or myeloid cells (Goel et al., 2023, Witherspoon et al., 1989). There are numerous subtypes of leukaemia and two major types of leukaemia: acute leukaemia and chronic leukaemia. Lymphocytic or myeloid cell lineages are capable of producing leukaemic cells, which can subsequently be classified into leukaemias, including lymphocytes (lymphocytic leukaemia) or myeloid cells (myeloid leukaemia), leading to further classifications, such as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) (Shariff et al., 2023, Bakhtiyari et al., 2023). Leukaemia has a significant global prevalence and incidence for all ages. In recent years, estimates from the World Health Organization have estimated that the incidence of new leukaemia cases is above 400 000 every year (Zhang et al., 2023). The incidence of the disease is uneven across the globe, where it is more common in developed countries. Certain types of radiation and chemical exposure have been shown to increase the risk factors for this disease (Ilhan et al., 2006). The type and severity of leukaemia, as well as particular patient biological factors, are the main determinants of the type of treatment a leukaemia patient receives (Bair et al., 2020). Some forms of leukaemia management include chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell transplantation, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy (Bair et al., 2020). The management of cancerous cells via drugs is often referred to as chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is employed in most cases for patients with acute leukaemia. Other times, radiation therapy may be used on specific targets affected by the disease. Targeted therapy employs drugs to treat tumours on the basis of their genetic composition and characteristics. Monoclonal antibodies, along with CAR-T-cell therapy, are also termed immunotherapy, as they help the body mobilise and utilise the immune system to identify and kill cancerous cells. In some instances, drastic needs, such as high-risk or relapsed leukaemia, require the use of stem cell or bone marrow transplants (Lemal and Tournilhac, 2019, Bair et al., 2020). The prognosis of patients with leukaemia may depend on its type, location, patient age, and stage at which the disease is detected, among various factors (Hallek and Al-Sawaf, 2021). The continuous development of different treatment methods has increased the survival rates of many children suffering from leukaemia. Complete remission is the most sought-after goal for patients suffering from acute leukaemia, with no visible signs of the disease. Chronic types of leukaemia rely on medications that can last several years. Nevertheless, the forecasts of other subtypes do differ greatly, as some seem to have better prognoses than others do. There is still a gap in research that, with time and effort, will help improve the techniques used to manage leukaemia and its prognosis (Condoluci et al., 2020; Hallek and Al-Sawaf, 2021).

Owing to their possible treatment potential, natural products and herbal medicines have attracted great interest in leukaemia studies (Goel et al., 2023). By natural product compounds, we refer to products that come from plants, animals, and microorganisms, whereas herbal medicine addresses the uses of plants for medicinal purposes (Najmi et al., 2022). These natural products and herbal medicines have great potential in the prevention and management of leukaemia and thus could serve as additional or alternative treatment modalities in addition to standard therapies. Several reports have evaluated the significance of herbal medicine and natural products in controlling and even eradicating leukaemia (Goel et al., 2023, Kupchan et al., 1972, Wani et al., 1971, Pettit et al., 1989). These natural compounds often possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, which can contribute to their antileukemic effects. In addition to individual compounds, herbal medicine formulations have also been studied for their potential benefits in leukaemia. Traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and other traditional healing systems have a long history of using herbal remedies for various ailments, including cancer. Herbs such as Tripterygium wilfordii (Fang et al., 2020), Typhonium flagelliforme (Mohan et al., 2010), and Oldenlandia diffusa (Kim et al., 1998) have been investigated for their antileukemic properties. These extracts are often complex multicomponent systems that might act in a synergistic manner, performing one or more therapeutic functions. The mechanistic actions of anticancer agents derived from natural products and herbal medicines against tumours, including leukaemia, are extensive and complex. They can influence many signal cascades that promote cell proliferation, protect the cell, and induce apoptosis (Goel et al., 2023). Additionally, they may enhance the body's immune response, inhibit cancer cell invasion and metastasis, and sensitise cancer cells to conventional therapies, potentially improving treatment outcomes and reducing side effects (Seifert et al., 2008). Although there is potential for the development of leukaemia therapeutics from natural products and herbal medicines, it must be emphasised that clinical research is important to ascertain the safety and effectiveness of these products. Cell lines and animal models have provided preclinical data, but their use in humans requires additional clinical studies. These natural compounds are often combined with standard treatment, which is termed integrative or complementary medicine (Witt et al., 2017, Yuan et al., 2016) and is an area of active research aimed at optimising treatment outcomes and improving the quality of life of leukaemia patients.

The purpose of this study was to carry out a quantitative literature analysis on the contributions of natural products to leukaemia research. This study strives to obtain a bigger picture by applying concepts such as VOSviewer and Bibliometrix to examine and depict the literature on natural products and their efficacy for leukaemia. By analysing bibliometric networks, the main themes of research, prominent researchers, the volume of publications, their significance, and collaboration can be determined. The goal of this investigation is to elucidate such pertinent issues related to development and avenues of scholarship in the broader context of natural products in leukaemia research.