Pharmacology Department, Stavropol State Medical Academy, ul. Mira 310, Stavropol, 355024 Russia.
An analysis of the presently available data shows that the principal pineal hormone melatonin is capable of influencing, both directly and indirectly, the state of the immune system. The immunotropic activity of this hormone can account for the stress-protective, antitumor, and antiviral effects of melatonin.