Table 2.
Effects of melatonin in protecting against viral infections
| Properties | Virus | Animal/cell cultures | Effects of melatonin administration | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free radical scavenger | VEEV | Murine splenocytes | Reduction of NO• concentrations in tissue | 105 |
| Murine neuroblastoma | Decrease of both NO• and lipid peroxidation | 106 | ||
| Mice | Reduces nitrite concentrations in the brain and serum | 107 | ||
| Lowering lipid peroxidation products | ||||
| RSV | Mice | Reduction of acute lung oxidative injury | 31 | |
| Suppression of MDA, NO• and •OH generation | ||||
| Restoration of GSH and SOD levels in the lungs | ||||
| Antioxidant enzyme inducer | RHDV | Rabbits | Restoration of activity and mRNA expression of GPx, GST and Mn‐SOD | 109 |
| Rise in protein expression of Nrf2 | ||||
| Regulator of immune functions | MLV | Mice | Prevention of reduction in B‐ and T‐cell proliferation | 156 |
| Prevention in Th1 cytokine secretion | ||||
| Prevention of overproduction of Th2 cytokines and TNF‐α | ||||
| VEEV | Mice | Stimulation of endogenous production of IL‐1β in brain | 158 | |
| Reduction of the concentration of TNF‐α in brain | ||||
| Stimulation of endogenous production of IFN‐γ, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α in serum | 159 | |||
| RSV | Mouse macrophages | Decrease of TLR3‐mediated downstream gene expression | 170 | |
| Regulator of PCD | RHDV | Rabbits | Reduction of Bax expression | 179 |
| Reduction of cytosolic cytochrome c release | ||||
| Increased expression of Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL | ||||
| Inhibition of caspase‐9 activity | ||||
| Reduction in caspase‐8 activity | ||||
| Reduction in TNF‐R1 and JNK expression | ||||
| Increased expression of c‐FLIP |
VEEV, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus; RHDV, rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus; MLV, murine leukemia virus.