摘要Objective:To assess the antitumor activity of the novel chitinase produced by fermented,isolated Trichoderma viride in a hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)male rat model.Methods:Diethyl-nitrosamine induction combined with ionizing radiation exposure was used to establish the HCC rat model.All rats were divided into 4 groups:the control group,the chitinase group,the HCC group,and the HCC+chitinase group.The antiproliferative effect of chitinase was evaluated in human HCC cells.The effect of chitinase in vivo on oxidative stress,endoplasmic reticulum stress chaperones,autophagy markers,PI3K/AKT/mTOR,AMPK pathway expression,and apoptotic indicators was determined and confirmed by histological examination.Results:Chitinase significantly inhibited the viabilities of HepG2 cells.Moreover,in the Wistar male rat model of HCC,chitinase decreased ATP levels,modulated endoplasmic reticulum stress,mediated autophagy factors,and promoted apoptosis.Conclusions:Chitinase might play a role in the apoptosis as well as autophagy pathways and may act as a potential tumor suppressor.