The ischemic/hypoxic (IH) model applied in this study deregulates the NO/NOS pathway. Melatonin prompts nNOS response after IH. Melatonin downregulates iNOS and diminishes nitrosative-oxidative impacts after IH. Melatonin may prevent HI neurodegenerative associated damage via NO/NOS balance. Melatonin is a suitable standard for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying IH.