Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of Doscin on human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods TSCCa and TCa8113 oral squamous carcinoma cell line were treated with various concentration of Dioscin. Cell proliferation was tested via MTS and soft agar colony formation assay. Cell glycolysis was analyzed. Glycolysis and apoptosis related proteins were measured via immunoblotting assay. Western blot was performed to determine the effect of hexokinase-2 (HK2) overexpression on Dioscin-induced cellular apoptosis. Results Dioscin decreased the cell growth of TSCCa and TCa8113 cells in a dose- and time- dependent manner (P < 0.05). Dioscin significantly suppressed glycolysis in TSCCa and TCa8113 cells and decreased the protein levels of Glut1 and HK2 (P < 0.05). Additionally, Dioscin elevated the expression of cleaved-caspase-3 and cleaved-PARP. Overexpression of HK2 inhibited Dioscin-induced cell apoptosis. Conclusions Our results suggests that Dioscin inhibits OSCC growth through inhibition of HK2 and glycolysis.