By inhibiting Optineurin (OPTN)-related mitophagy via the PINK1/Parkin pathway and suppressing STAT3 (signal transducer and activators of transduction 3) and TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor alpha) expression through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, melatonin effectively mitigates ALI. This evidence concerns the gene STAT3 and acute respiratory distress syndrome.