Melatonin attenuates LPS-induced pyroptosis in acute lung injury by inhibiting NLRP3-GSDMD pathway via activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling axis

•Melatonin alleviates LPS-induced lung injury and edema.•Melatonin prolongs the survival rates of mice suffered from lethal doses of LPS.•Melatonin inhibits LPS-induced oxidative stress via activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling axis.•Melatonin attenuates NLRP3/GADMD pathway-driven pyroptosis via inhibiting oxidative stress.•Melatonin inhibits LPS-induced ALI through regulating the feasible interactions between Nrf2 signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome.