Abstract

In order to elucidate the impact of fortunei forest environment on overall health, the effect of the Cryptomeria fortunei forest environment on mice was examined. Using an OFT (Open Field Test), the behavior of mice in fortunei forest and in an indoor environment (used as a control) was analyzed, while minor changes in climate, oxygen, and suspended particulate matter were observed and recorded simultaneously. The results indicated that the two environments were significantly different in regard to relative humidity, wind speed, and the oxygen content of air, while there were no significant differences in temperature. Importantly, spontaneous activity behavioral indicators in mice were significantly different. Mice in the Cryptomeria fortunei environment (LS group) spent less time in the corners and near walls in comparison to mice in the indoor environment (CK group). Compared with indoor control mice, for the mice exposed to forest environments total distance traveled, central grid distance, frequency of movement through the central grid, frequency of standing, and body mass significantly increased; The number of fecal grains significantly decreased. The spontaneous activity behavioral indicators changed over time stages. In the early stages there were no differences, but after accumulation of environmental effects in the late stages, significant differences were evident. The above results showed that the Cryptomeria fortunei forest environment increased excitability and cognitive ability of mice, was able to effectively alleviate anxiety, and was able to emotionally relax and improve the appetite of the mice.

Highlights

  • With the enhancement of living standards in recent years, the demand for modern healthcare has become increasingly urgent

  • Cryptomeria fortunei; CK: Representative samples of mice hanging in the room

  • The results of this study show that there were significant differences in the relative humidity, wind speed, air oxygen content, and particulate matter between the indoor and the Cryptomeria forest environments

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Summary

Introduction

With the enhancement of living standards in recent years, the demand for modern healthcare has become increasingly urgent. Recent data from the World Health Organization has shown that there are approximately 150 million people worldwide living with mental illnesses. Depression is a common and well-known mental illness, and approximately 1 million individuals commit suicide every year [1,2]. Forests are associated with increased physical activity and decreased overweight and obesity of urban dwellers [6,7,8], and people are increasingly using urban forests for health promotion [1,9]. The impact of forests on health has become a topic of captivating interest in the research world and is gradually being studied in-depth.

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