Living in urban forests strengthens radical scavenging activity to delay aging: a pilot animal study

Abstract

The aging process is influenced by the accumulation of both beneficial and harmful factors in the external environment. While extensive literature has explored the health benefits of short-term forest bathing, the potential for long-term exposure to forests to delay the aging process remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of prolonged urban forest contact on aging using a murine model. Forty male Specified Pathogen Free degree Kunming mice (6 weeks old, average weight 30.44 ± 0.91 g) were subjected to continuous subcutaneous injection of D-galactose in an urban environment and an urban forest environment to simulate an accelerated aging process lasting six weeks. Results showed that compared to urban environment, mice living in the forest environment exhibited significantly increased levels of serum oxidases CAT, GSH-Px, and SOD, as well as decreased levels of oxidative products H₂O₂ and MDA. These findings suggest that long-term forest living enhances serum Nrf2 expression, downstream oxidase activity, total antioxidant capacity, and resistance to free radicals and oxidative products, thus delaying the aging process. This study offers valuable insights into the potential health benefits of long-term forest living, which may play a role in delaying the aging process in humans.