Valacyclovir combined with artesunate or rapamycin improves the outcome of herpes simplex virus encephalitis in mice compared to antiviral therapy alone

•The effect of combining artesunate or rapamycin with valacyclovir against herpes simplex virus encephalitis was evaluated.•Both combined regimens improved survival rate in a murine model of herpes simplex virus encephalitis.•The improved survival rate with combined therapies was not due to an effect on viral replication in the brain.•Artesunate could act by decreasing the production of cytokines and chemokines in the brain.•The effect of rapamycin could be related to its immunosuppressive potency on T lymphocytes.