Clarithromycin suppresses induction of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 and improves pathological changes in the lungs and heart of mice infected with influenza A virus.

•High MCP-1 and MMP-9 levels in serum, lung and heart in influenza A virus infected mice.•Clarithromycin, a macrolide, showed anti-inflammatory effects in infected mice.•Clarithromycin suppressed induction of MCP-1 and MMP-9 by influenza A virus infection.