Nutraceutical activators of AMPK/Sirt1 axis inhibit viral production and protect neurons from neurodegenerative events triggered during HSV-1 infection.

•AMPK/Sirt1 activators increase viability of HSV-1-infected neurons.•Activators of AMPK/Sirt1 inhibit HSV-1 gene expression during neuronal infection.•Pharmacological activators of AMPK/Sirt1 axis inhibit HSV-1 virion progeny production.•Resveratrol-reduced neurodegenerative markers induced by HSV-1 neuronal infection.•Quercetin-reduced neurodegenerative markers induced by HSV-1 neuronal infection.