Introduction

In 1873, Bernhard Naunyn, Oswald Schmiederberg, and Edwin Klebs founded the “Archiv für experimentelle Pathologie und Pharmakologie,” which has evolved into the Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology. Their collaboration in Dorpat, where Naunyn and Schmiedeberg served as professors, was foundational in creating a journal that would integrate the fields of pathology and pharmacology. Schmiedeberg is particularly noted as a pioneer of experimental pharmacology, with a lasting influence that extends throughout the global pharmacological community (Starke 1998).

Quickly after its founding, Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology was recognized as one of the most important journals in its field, being the oldest pharmacological journal. This reputation has been consistently upheld (Koch-Weser and Schechter 1978; Starke 1998). However, the aftermath of the Second World War presented significant challenges, including a 2-year publication hiatus that marked a period of re-evaluation and recovery for the journal (Starke 1998). This era coincided with the emergence of a new international scientific community, from which Germany was initially isolated (Ahlers et al. 2023).

A recent bibliometric analysis (Dats et al. 2023), which primarily examined the early twenty-first century using distinct datasets, did not address the post-war period in detail, leaving a gap in the literature. Despite Klaus Starke’s comprehensive historical overview on the first 125 years of Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology (Starke 1998), there is a lack of focused analysis on Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology’s evolution in the post-World War II period. This era, critical for the journal’s shift towards internationalization and English publication, significantly boosted its citations and global presence.

By providing an overview of the journal’s development from the post-war period up to 1974, this paper aims to contribute to this existing gap. To offer insights into Germany’s efforts to reassert its scientific contributions on the global stage, this paper places the bibliometric findings within a historical, political, and scientific context.

Materials and methods

Extraction process for publication data

The bibliometric analysis of Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology was conducted using Python and Beautiful Soup, focusing on extracting publication details from the official SpringerLink website (https://link.springer.com/journal/210/volumes-and-issues; Python Software Foundation 2021; Richardson 2021; Springer Link 2024). This methodological choice was driven by the need for a comprehensive and automated approach to data collection over a significant historical span, specifically targeting volumes 204 (1947) to 286 (1974) and encompassing a range of publication metrics from a total of 4839 publications identified across 224 cities and 44 countries (Fig. 1). The previously used data extraction using Excel yielded substantial data gaps for the period from 1947 to 1971 (Dats et al. 2023) which were now closed with the comprehensive Phython and Beautiful Soup approach.

Fig. 1
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Flowchart representation of the analysis procedure

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Identification of publication metrics

The extracted data included various publication metrics such as the SN type (original papers, abstracts, short papers, announcements, discussions, editorial notes, erratum, opening speeches, main topics, keynote lectures, short communications, symposiums, DGPT spring meetings, demonstrations), titles, author names (first, second, and last), affiliations, DOI numbers, issue dates and years, volume numbers, and citation counts. Citation numbers were obtained via CrossRef (https://www.crossref.org/about/) which is integrated with the SpringerLink page, ensuring the accuracy of citation data.

For this analysis, the focus was narrowed to “Original Paper” SN type, resulting in a dataset of 3244 publications (Fig. 1). The Orignal Papers were then analyzed over the years (Fig. 2). These data were then organized into a table using the Pandas library in Python and saved in an Excel (.xlsx) format. To visualize the findings, charts and tables were generated from the Excel spreadsheet.

Fig. 2
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Number of annual publications (Original Papers) from 1947 to 1974

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Data structuring and accuracy assurance

To validate the accuracy of the extracted data, a Python unit test was conducted. This test compared the data in the Excel table against the original information on the SpringerLink page, ensuring the reliability of the data collection process. This rigorous methodological approach not only underscores the thoroughness of the analysis but also guarantees the credibility of the findings derived from the bibliometric study.

Language trends in publications

Leveraging Python’s langdetect module, the language of each publication (Original Papers) was discerned from the titles once the data had been structured into an Excel spreadsheet. This enabled a longitudinal analysis of the languages used in the publications spanning from 1947 to 1974. It was observed that articles were published in French and Italian on a few occasions—six times and once, respectively. However, to ensure clarity and focus on the visual representation of the data, these instances were omitted from the graphical analysis presented in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3
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Comparative analysis of publication languages (Original Papers) from 1947 to 1974

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Citation analysis

For citation analysis, the number of citations for each publication (Original Papers) was retrieved through CrossRef, utilizing Python and Beautiful Soup, as of January 2, 2024. CrossRef, which is updated daily and directly linked to the SpringerLink page, provided a comprehensive view of the citation patterns across the studied period (1947–1974). This dataset facilitated a granular examination of citation behavior over the years, allowing for an in-depth understanding of the factors influencing citation frequency, such as publication number and citation quotient (Fig. 4, Tab. S1).

Fig. 4
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Trend analysis of publications (Original Papers) and citations from 1947 to 1974

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Analysis of the 100 most-cited articles

Further analysis was conducted on the 100 most-cited articles (Original Papers) within the specified timeframe, offering insights into the reasons behind their frequent citation. This examination included the years of publication (Fig. 5), impact of the publication language (Fig. 6), and the thematic focus (Fig. 7), on their citation rates. Additionally, the geographic origins of these highly cited articles were analyzed (Fig. 8), with the findings summarized in a detailed table (Table 1).

Fig. 5
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Distribution of the 100 most cited articles (Original Papers) over time from 1947 to 1974

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Fig. 6
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Linguistic distribution of the 100 most cited articles (Original Papers) from 1947 to 1974

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Fig. 7
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Topic distribution of the 100 most cited articles (Original Papers)

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Fig. 8
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Comparative distribution of the top 100 most-cited research articles (Original Papers) by country of origin

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Topics

For simplicity, the entire dataset, excluding publication titles, was translated into English. The titles themselves are crucial for identifying the thematic trends and author focus within the period analyzed. To systematically categorize these themes, the study utilized the textbook “Basiswissen Pharmakologie” as a framework for grouping (Seifert 2018). The textbook’s main topics provided a structured basis, with the addition of “Purinergic system,” “Substance P,” and “Toxicology” to encompass frequently occurring themes not originally listed. This thematic grouping facilitated trend analyses and the exploration of topic-related dynamics over time (Fig. S2). Furthermore, a pie chart analysis (Fig. 7) highlights the distribution of topics within the 100 most cited articles, offering insights into the most influential research areas.

Authors

To dissect the authorship patterns within Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology from 1947 to 1974, a comprehensive analysis was conducted not only on the first authors but also on the second and last authors of the papers. This methodical examination uncovered distinct trends in publication frequency among authors, culminating in the identification of the top 15 contributors to the journal during this period (Fig. 9). An in-depth analysis of the top five authors was subsequently carried out, focusing on their affiliations, thematic interests, and rates of publication (see Tab. S6).

Fig. 9
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Leading 15 authors based on publications (Original Papers) from 1947 to 1974

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Geographical analysis of publication origins

Additionally, the geographical origins of the publications (Original Papers) were analyzed. City and country information extracted from the SpringerLink page was anglicized for consistency. A Python script facilitated the classification of countries into their respective continents, enabling a focused analysis of the geographical distribution of the research contributions. This analysis was narrowed down to the top five contributing countries, which together accounted for 97% of the journal’s publications between 1947 and 1974. The cities leading in publication volume were highlighted in a bar chart, providing a visual representation of the geographical trends in research output (Figs. S3, S4 and S5).

Furthermore, to offer a granular view of the contributions within Germany, a heat map was created using Plotly in Python. This visual tool effectively showcased the density of publications across German cities, offering insightful perspectives on the regional distribution of research within the country. This layered approach, combining authorship trends with geographical analysis, provides a nuanced understanding of the journal’s contributions to the pharmacologcial community over the specified period.

Results and discussion

Publication activity

Following World War II, Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology faced a publication halt for 2 years, resuming in February 1947 with its first post-war volume (204), delayed due to US intelligence control oversight (Starke 1998; Herken 1999). Initially, the journal’s productivity was low, publishing around 70 articles each in 1947 and 1948, a direct consequence of war-induced destruction of academic facilities and the emigration of scientists during the Nazi regime, hindering immediate post-war scientific activities (Philippu 2004–2021; Löffelholz 2011; Weise-Pötschke 2019; Heinsohn and Nicolaysen 2021; Dats et al. 2023; Hattori and Seifert 2023; Fig. 2).

By 1949, publication numbers surged to 122, reflecting the release of wartime research (Dats et al. 2023). This growth continued, notably doubling around 1951 and 1953, partly due to celebrating pharmacologist Otto Loewi’s 80th birthday (Starke 1998). Despite a peak in 1964 honoring Otto Krayer’s 65th birthday, the journal experienced a gradual decline in the number of publications until 1970, influenced by the preference for publishing in higher-impact English-language journals (Zehetbauer et al. 2022; Dats et al. 2023; Gzoyan et al. 2023).

The shift towards English, essential for international scientific communication, led to the marginalization of German-language journals (Gzoyan et al. 2023). Recognizing the need for internationalization, the journal’s editors initiated significant changes in the late 1960s, including the internationalization of the editorial board and the transition to publishing in English, culminating in the journal’s name change in 1971 and the mandate for English publications from 1973 onwards. These measures revitalized the journal, as evidenced by a 149% increase in publications from 1970 to 1973, stabilizing its contribution to the international research community thereafter (Starke 1998; Dats et al. 2023; Hattori and Seifert 2023; Fig. 2).

Language

Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology predominantly featured German-language publications until the late 1960s, reflecting its national orientation (Fig. 3). This linguistic homogeneity meant its research largely remained within German-speaking circles, limiting international engagement and recognition (Bajerski 2011). Analysis of publication trends (Fig. 2) against the language of publication (Fig. 3) reveals a parallel between the overall publication volume and German-language articles up to 1970. Notably, spikes in English publications in 1953 and 1964 corresponded with contributions from the USA, including works dedicated to emigrant pharmacologists Otto Loewi and Otto Krayer, highlighting brief periods of international collaboration (Starke 1998).

Loewi, a former student of Oswald Schmiedeberg, fled Nazi Germany in 1938, eventually settling in the USA at New York University (Bettendorf 1995; Philippu 2004–2021; McCoy and Tan 2014). Similarly, Krayer, who refused a position vacated under Nazi policies, led Harvard University’s pharmacology institute from 1939 to 1966 (Starke 1998; Philippu 2004–2021; Rubin 2014). The contributions of Loewi and Krayer underscore the journal’s intermittent international reach.

The sharp increase in English publications from 1970 onwards (Fig. 3) reflects editorial efforts to promote English, transitioning from five English articles in 1967 to 164 by 1973, with a corresponding decline in German articles. This shift was instrumental in repositioning the journal within the global scientific community (Starke 1998; Francisco 2015; Hattori and Seifert 2023). Post-WWII, Germany’s diminished academic stature and UNESCO’s advocacy for multilingualism in scientific publishing prompted questions about delayed internationalization efforts. The reluctance of the journal’s publisher, Dr. Springer, to adopt multilingualism until the late 1960s contributed to this lag (DGPT archive in Göttingen 01.09.1949).

The ascendancy of English as the primary scientific language post-1970s highlights a broader shift towards internationalization in German science, necessitated by a globalizing research landscape (Winkmann et al. 2002; Heinsohn and Nicolaysen 2021). The debate over the late adoption of English in German journals touches on the broader discourse around multilingualism’s role in ensuring high-quality, globally communicable science (Tardy 2004; Billings 2015; Davydova 2020). The imposition of English as the lingua franca raises ethical questions about linguistic equity and the potential marginalization of non-English speakers (Phillipson 2009; O’Neil 2018). Moreover, the dominance of English reflects colonial legacies, risking the devaluation of other languages and the sidelining of non-English scientific contributions (Phillipson 2009; Ahn et al. 2017). The international neglect of non-English journals, resulting in fewer citations and recognition, underscores the challenges of linguistic isolation in the global scientific community (Phillipson 2009; Gzoyan et al. 2023).

Citations

While high publication volumes post-1970s indicate increased scientific productivity, assessing the international recognition of Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology and its articles requires examining citation patterns (Francisco 2015). Figure 4 presents annual publication counts alongside total citations from 1947 to 1974, calculating an average citation rate per article. This metric reveals a gradual increase in citation impact, with a notable surge from 1963 onwards. Specifically, the citation quotient jumped significantly in the early 1970s, from 17.9 in 1971 to 29.4 in 1972, compared to 7.3 in 1947 and 28.3 in 1974 (see Fig. S1). This trend suggests the journal’s internationalization efforts in the 1970s significantly bolstered its standing within the global research community (Starke 1998; Francisco 2015).

Although high citation rates and impact factors (IFs) are commonly associated with a journal’s academic prestige, IFs have been critiqued as an imperfect measure for evaluating journal quality (Seglen 1998). Nonetheless, citations do play a role in enhancing a publication’s international visibility, with English-language articles typically receiving more citations than non-English papers. This advantage shows that publishing in English can significantly benefit both journals and authors in terms of both international and national recognition (Vinther and Rosenberg 2012). The internationalization measures of the 1970s, therefore, not only enhanced the visibility of Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology but also contributed to a broader acknowledgment of the work published within its pages (Starke 1998; Francisco 2015).

100 most quoted original papers

Citation behavior significantly impacts both journals and their authors, as high citation counts are often associated with scientific prominence and success (Seglen 1998; Francisco 2015). A detailed bibliometric analysis of the 100 most-cited publications (Original Papers) within Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology highlights the outcomes of the journal’s 1970s internationalization efforts. Notably, 50 of these pivotal publications were produced in the years 1972 and 1974 alone (Fig. 5), underscoring the beneficial impact of publishing in English on citation numbers—a key factor for enduring relevance in the global scientific community (Starke 1998; Francisco 2015; Gzoyan et al. 2023).

The analysis reveals a linguistic shift in the composition of the most-cited list, transitioning from a predominance of German-language articles before the late 1960s to a decisive majority of English-language articles post-1970. By 1971, English-language publications constituted over half of the top 100 cited works (Fig. 6), reflecting the journal’s successful adaptation to the international scientific publishing landscape (Starke 1998).

Among these highly cited articles, research on the cholinergic and adrenergic systems is particularly prominent, representing 21% of the list, followed by studies on pharmacodynamics and the dopaminergic system (Fig. 7; Fig. S2). This thematic emphasis is in part due to the foundational discoveries by Otto Loewi and Sir Henry Dale on neurotransmission, which have sparked extensive research into these biological systems (Tansey 2006; McCoy and Tan 2014). Technological advancements in the 1950s that improved acetylcholine detection also played a critical role, facilitating expanded research that coincided with heightened interest due to the military application of nerve agents during and post-World War II (Dacre 1984; Warburton and Wesnes 1985; John et al. 2018; Amend et al. 2020; Hrvat and Kovarik 2020).

Interest in the cholinergic and adrenergic systems surged until the 1990s before Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology moved towards immunopharmacology and drugs for the treatment of malignant tumor diseases in the new millennium (Hornykiewicz 1966; Dats et al. 2023). The journal’s 1970s internationalization initiatives played a crucial role in enhancing citation metrics and expanding its international stature (Starke 1998; Francisco 2015; Hattori and Seifert 2023). Earlier periods also witnessed citation surges, notably in 1963 and 1968, thanks to seminal works by Huković and Muscholl and the influential article by Thoenen and Tranzer (1968) on dopaminergic neurons, which is the period’s most cited work with 717 citations (Table 1, last accessed 02.01.2024). Importantly, alongside the journal’s significant contributions to neuroscience, this study highlights a pivotal moment in Parkinson’s disease research. Consequently, the mid-1960s are marked by an improvement in Parkinson’s therapy, significantly contributing to the scientific understanding of dopamine’s function. The Thoenen and Tranzer article specifically explored the effects of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on dopaminergic neurons, demonstrating its potential to induce Parkinson’s syndrome in experimental models. This critical insight into 6-OHDA has since been instrumental in the study and treatment of Parkinson’s disease, further emphasizing the journal’s enduring influence on neurological research and therapy (Hornykiewicz 1966; Thoenen and Tranzer 1968; Simola et al. 2007; Fahn 2008; Li and Le 2017).

Table 1 Top 100 most-cited articles (Original Papers; last accessed 02.01.24); en English, ger German
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Authors

Between 1947 and 1974, Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology saw contributions from 2065 first authors. Detailed analysis including first, second, and last authorships identified those who published (Original Papers) most frequently within this timeframe. Leading the count was Manfred Kiese (1910–1983) with 47 publications, followed closely by Gerhard Zetler (1921–2007) and Gustav Kuschinsky (1904–1992), each with 29 publications. Ernst Habermann (1926–2001) and Peter Holtz (1902–1970) also made significant contributions with 27 and 26 publications, respectively (Fig. 9; Tab. S2).

Manfred Kiese, who completed his doctorate under Wolfgang Heubner (1877–1957) in 1935, showed remarkable productivity, especially between 1947 and 1949, by publishing 17 articles while leading the pharmacology laboratory at the University Hospital in Kiel, a position he assumed in 1947. Kiese’s research predominantly focused on the pharmacodynamics and kinetics of methemoglobin and hemoglobin, contributing 33 articles on these topics over the years (Philippu 2004–2021). Importantly, Kiese demonstrated early international engagement through his publications in English as early as 1963. One of his publications achieved remarkable recognition and is listed among the 100 most cited papers in the journal, in the 73rd place (Table 1).

Gerhard Zetler began publishing consistently in 1951, maintaining an average of two publications per year until 1974. Starting his career at Christian-Albrecht University in Kiel in 1949, Zetler moved to the Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University Medical Center Schleswig–Holstein in Lübeck in 1964, serving as its first director (Philippu 2004–2021). His work predominantly explored substance P and resulted in a total of 18 publications in Kiel and 11 in Lübeck.

Gustav Kuschinsky, another prominent contributor with 29 articles, started publishing in the journal in 1947 and continued until 1968. After beginning his career under Paul Trendelenburg in Berlin, he moved to Tung Chi University in Shanghai in 1934 and later became a full professor at the German University in Prague in 1939 (Philippu 2004–2021). His research, which did not include any English publications, focused on the cholinergic and adrenergic systems, with a significant portion of his work being published during his tenure at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz.

Ernst Habermann’s contributions, spanning from 1954 to 1974, were primarily in toxicology, including groundbreaking studies on bee venom (Apis mellifera). His work spanned two institutions: from 1954 to 1966 at the University of Würzburg and from 1966 to 1974 at the Justus Liebig University Giessen, with a transition to English publications starting in 1971 (Philippu 2004–2021). Two of his works were cited particularly often, which underlines their importance in the scientific community. These works are ranked 28th and 49th of the 100 most cited publications (Table 1).

Peter Holtz, with 26 articles, focused on the cholinergic and adrenergic system, particularly on noradrenaline, earning him the National Prize of the GDR. His work at the University of Rostock and later at Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main contributed significantly to the field. Two of his papers are among the 100 most cited articles in the journal, which also indicates that his work is highly recognized. These are ranked 15th and 62nd in the list of most cited papers (Table 1).

Continent, countries, and cities

The geographical distribution of the publications (Original Papers) further highlights the journal’s initial European, particularly German, orientation, with 94% of articles coming from Europe until 1974 (Fig. S3). This dominance underscores the limited global reach of publications in the German language, which rarely gained significance beyond Europe (Bajerski 2011). North America’s 4% contribution is primarily attributed to works dedicated to Otto Krayer and Otto Loewi, indicating a Western-centric publication trend (Starke 1998). The concentration of publications in Germany, especially in the immediate post-war era, can be seen as an effort to mitigate the country’s international isolation and foster reintegration into the global scientific community. This period also saw a shift in focus from national prestige to the pursuit of international recognition among German scientists after the second world war (Ahlers et al. 2023).

A comparison of the present data with the results of Dats et al. (2023) for the period 1990 to 2020 reveals an increasing internationalization of the journal until 2020. Particularly, a significant increase in the representation of Asian publications can be observed. While the Asian continent was clearly underrepresented until 1974 with only 47 publications (Fig. S4), Asia positioned itself as the second most represented continent from 1990 to 2020. The analysis by Dats et al. (2023) also reveals an increase in publications from South America, with the number of publications increasing from an under-representation of only 20 publications up to 1974 to around 250 in the period from 1990 to 2020, with the majority of these publications coming from Brazil. In contrast, the number of publications from Africa and Australia did not change relatively in the observed period by Dats et al. (2023).

In the analyzed period from 1947 to 1974, an overwhelming 84% of publications in Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology originated from Germany, with Austria and Switzerland contributing 5% and 4%, respectively (see Fig. S4). These data underscore that during this period, 93% of the journal's publications were from German-speaking countries, aligning with the perception of the journal as predominantly German in its focus (Fig. 3). Post-World War II, a modest 10% of contributions came from non-German-speaking countries. However, the 1970s marked a pivotal shift towards internationalization, leading to a significant increase in contributions from outside the German-speaking countries. By the late 1990s, international contributions constituted 60% of the total publications, reflecting the journal’s successful global integration (Starke 1998; Hamel 2007).

Figures 10 and 11 show that most publications (Original Papers) in the period from 1947 to 1974, with a total of 1971 publications, came from West-Germany. Whereas 616 publications came from East-Germany, a closer look shows that 328 of these works were published in West-Berlin. Taking this categorization into consideration, only about 12% of the publications, namely 288, came from the geographical area of the former GDR; 55 of these works were published in East-Berlin. This publication distribution across German cities indicates a pronounced clustering in Western Germany (Figs. 10, 11, and 12).

Fig. 10
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Heatmap of German cities; hotspot of publication (Original Papers) cities (1947–1974)

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Fig. 11
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Geographical distribution of publications (Original Papers): West-Germany and East-Germany including Berlin (1947–1974). Formally, West-Berlin did not belong to the FRG, but the political system was similar to that of West-Germany (FRG)

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Fig. 12
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Publication distribution (Original Papers) between East-Berlin and West-Berlin (1947–1974). Formally, West-Berlin did not belong to the FRG, but the political system was similar to that of West-Germany (FRG)

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In 1974, the population of the GDR was 16.891 millions and the FRG 61.99 millions (Statistisches Bundesamt Demografische Aspekte Deutschland n.d.). West-Germany produced 1971 publications (Original Papers) in total, whereas East-Germany produced 288 publications (Original Papers; Fig. 11). In terms of population size, the FRG, including West-Berlin, produced around 31.8 publications per million inhabitants, while the GDR, including East-Berlin, recorded around 17.1 publications per million inhabitants. Although the population in West-Germany is almost four times as high as in East Germany, East Germany was still quite productive with 17.1 publications (original paper) (Fig. 13 and Table 2). However, the discrepancy increases when Berlin is considered individually in East and West. West-Berlin had a population of around 2.1 million people (1974), while East Berlin had a population of around 1.1 million (1974) (Statistisches Bundesamt Demografische Aspekte Deutschland n.d.). During the time between 1947–1974, publications per 1 million inhabitants in West-Berlin amounted to 155, whereas publications per 1 million inhabitants in East-Berlin in 1974 amounted to 51 (Table 2). These figures illustrate the higher scientific productivity in the FRG compared to the GDR (Fig. 13). Nonetheless, the figures also show that even with limited financial resources, one can be scientifically productive.

Fig. 13
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Total publications (Original Papers) and population figures in 1974 for East-Germany (GDR) and West-Germany (FRG) (Statistisches Bundesamt Demografische Aspekte Deutschland n.d.)

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Table 2 Comparative publication rates (Original Papers) per 1 million population in West-Germany and East-Germany and Berlin (separted into East-Berlin and West-Berlin) (1974) (Statistisches Bundesamt Demografische Aspekte Deutschland n.d.)
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Berlin emerged as the leading city in terms of publication volume (Original Papers) with 383, significantly outpacing Göttingen (rank 2) and Mainz (rank 3) (Fig. 10; Fig. S5 and S7). A closer look at Berlin allows us to recognize differences between the pharmacological institutes in West-Berlin and East-Berlin and they publication rates over time (Fig. 14). Between 1947 and 1974, the pharmacology institutes in West-Berlin were responsible for over 85% of publications (328 Original Papers), clearly surpassing the institutes in East-Berlin (55 Original Papers) (Fig. 12).

Fig. 14
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Comparative analysis of publication rates (Original Papers) in West-Berlin and East-Berlin between 1947 and 1974

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Excluding 1952, when East-Berlin institutes in the GDR contributed to approximately 36% of that year’s publications, West-Berlin institutes led in scientific output. Post-1952, East-Berlin’s publication numbers dwindled, halting almost entirely after 1962, with rare exceptions in 1964 and 1967 (Fig. 14). This decline is linked to the Cold War’s deepening, particularly after 1963, when East German pharmacologists were barred from participating in DGPT meetings. This restriction severely curtailed, if not entirely severed, scientific collaborations between pharmacologists from East and West Germany (Starke 1998).

In the aftermath of World War II, the DGPT showcased remarkable resilience and inclusivity, keeping its membership unified across the East–West divide. Early post-war gatherings, like the significant 1948 Düsseldorf meeting, saw participation from both East- and West-German pharmacologists. However, the intensifying Cold War tensions and Soviet policies made it impossible for East German members to participate, prompting them to form a separate society. Despite these challenges, the DGPT remained committed to fostering scientific dialogue and cooperation across the geopolitical divide, until external pressures necessitated a separate organization for East-German pharmacologists (Starke 1998).

Between 1951 and 1967, the presence of East-German pharmacologists in the Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology significantly diminished, with a notable focus on research on drugs of treatment of heart failure and coronary heart disease, evidenced by 22 out of 49 original papers (Fig. 14). This focus mirrors the rise in cardiovascular disease mortality rates noted in the Soviet Union, a trend that the GDR likely experienced due to comparable socio-economic and environmental factors (Cooper 1983; Jargin 2017). With the intensification of the Cold War and the consequent isolation, East-German researchers shifted their contributions to “Die Pharmazie,” a journal established in 1946 in the GDR under the challenging conditions of the Soviet Occupation Zone. Remarkably, despite initial contributions from both Eastern and Western authors, political tensions also led to a decline in cross-border collaborations, particularly after the erection of the Berlin Wall. Nonetheless, “Die Pharmazie” continued to prioritize scientific inquiry over political content, gradually increasing its English-language publications and maintaining its significance as a scientific platform originating from the GDR (Friedrich and Helmstädter 2020).

Shortly after World War II, Germany was divided into four zones controlled by the Allies, leading to the formation of two separate states in 1949. The Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), formed from the western zones occupied by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, adopted a capitalist system and embraced western democratic values, rapidly becoming integrated into the western bloc. Established in the Soviet-occupied zone, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) adopted a socialist economy and centralized governance and aligned itself with the communist ideology of the Soviet Union. This partition embodied the ideological fissure of the Cold War, with the FRG and the GDR each serving as outpost states for the competing Western and Eastern blocs (Kalberg 1991; Kastner 2002; Berger 2003).

West-Berlin’s prominence is attributed to the city’s vigorous push towards internationalization post-war and substantial financial support from the American occupation zone aimed at revitalizing academic activities. This strategic and financial backing significantly contributed to the resurgence of scientific work in West-Berlin, positioning it as a central hub for pharmacological research and publication (Philippu 2004–2021; Heinsohn and Nicolaysen 2021; Dats et al. 2023).

Dats et al. (2023) document a notable decline in Berlin’s output from 1990 to 2020 compared to the earlier period examined. Nonetheless, during this latter period, Berlin remains the epicenter for scholarly output in Eastern Germany. The enduring effects of post-World War II financial investments have had a long-term beneficial influence on academic institutions well into the millennium transition (Philippu 2004–2021; Heinsohn and Nicolaysen 2021; Dats et al. 2023).

Moreover, Freiburg ascended to the first position in the 1990–2020 timeframe, surpassing Berlin as the preeminent city. Conversely, Göttingen, previously ranked second, saw a significant reduction in its publication activity. Bonn, ranked twelfth up to 1974, advanced to second place during the 1990–2020 span (Dats et al. 2023; Fig. S7).

This analysis reveals dynamic shifts in publication rates (Original Papers) across various cities, with significant fluctuations observed. Despite these changes, the overarching pattern of publication concentration in Western Germany has persisted through many decades (Dats et al. 2023; Fig. 10).

Limitations and future studies

The bibliometric analysis conducted through data extraction from SpringerLink with Phython and Beautiful Soup provided a comprehensive yet focused insight into Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology, centering on “Original Papers”. This approach, however, offered a limited view, excluding a variety of content such as short papers, DGPT spring meetings, abstracts, reviews, and reports etc. that also form an integral part of the journal’s content. The exclusion of reviews (SN-Type) was a strategic decision for this study, setting the stage for a subsequent study dedicated to exploring reviews in Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology from its establishment in 1873 to the current day. The methodology described in this paper permits an in-depth evaluation over the journal’s full 150-year history. Investigating the initial resistance to English language adoption by Dr. Springer, the publisher, could also shed light on internal dynamics and resistance to internationalization within the journal’s editorial board, which saw the journal as distinctly German.

Conclusions

The decline in publication numbers (Original Papers) in the early 1950s (Fig. 1) marked a critical juncture for Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology, reflecting broader shifts within the scientific community and highlighting the journal’s struggle with post-war isolation due to its adherence to German. This period underscored the limitations of a national focus amidst a rapidly globalizing research landscape (Starke 1998; Francisco 2015; Gzoyan et al. 2023). Recognizing these challenges, the journal embarked on a path towards internationalization in the late 1960s, a move symbolized by the adoption of English for publications by 1973, which was pivotal in revitalizing the journal’s relevance and broadening its audience (Starke 1998; Dats et al. 2023; Hattori and Seifert 2023).

By the end of the 1990s, the composition of the journal’s authorship had dramatically shifted, transitioning from a predominantly German-centric outlet to one enriched by diverse international contributions (Dats et al. 2023). This transformation not only mirrors the evolving dynamics of scientific inquiry but also highlights the essential role of internationalization in fostering scientific collaboration and communication. The adoption of English as the lingua franca of science, while facilitating wider discourse, also introduces challenges for non-English speaking scientists, prompting reflections on access and equity within the global knowledge community (Tardy 2004; Di Bitetti and Ferreras 2017; O’Neil 2018).

This narrative extends beyond bibliometric analysis to engage with the discourses of internationality and scientific legitimacy, challenging the community to address the complexities of linguistic dominance. It underscores the necessity for journals like Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology to navigate globalization thoughtfully, promoting scientific excellence and inclusivity (Phillipson 2009; Ahn et al. 2017; O’Neil 2018; Ahlers et al. 2023).

From its origins as a German journal to its current status as an internationally recognized publication, Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology illustrates this interplay between tradition and innovation in scientific publishing.