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Purpose: To determine the potential influence of diosgenin on proliferation of human thyrocytes and its possible mechanism. Methods: Primary human thyrocytes were cultured and treated with diosgenin at various time intervals. Anti-proliferative activity was determined by MTT assay. Cell proliferation was evaluated by EdU assay while cell cycle was analyzed using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) method. Protein expression of p21 (CIP1), p27 (KIP1), cyclins, protein kinase B (Akt), phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) and p-Akt was determined by the western blot. Results: Diosgenin inhibited proliferation of primary human thyrocytes and caused G0/G1 arrest in a concentration-dependent manner. It also downregulated cyclin D1 and phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt, but upregulated p21 and p27. Conclusion: Inhibition of proliferation of primary human thyrocytes by diosgenin occurs via downregulation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Therefore, diosgenin can be developed as a potential drug for the treatment of thyroid disease.