A rapid method was developed to quantify diosgenin in Rhizoma Dioscoreae Zingiberensis. For the first time, sample solution was prepared by coupling pretreatment of raw material in cellulase and two-phase acid hydrolysis. After reconstitution, analysis was carried out on a C18 column, at 30°C, with acetonitrile and water (70:30, v/v) as mobile phase with flow rate of 1.0 mL min(- 1). Detection was carried out at 202 nm. Good linearity (r(2) = 0.9998) was established between concentration of analyte and peak area. The precision was >99% and the RSD of diosgenin contents for repeatability was 1.81%. The accuracy was supported with recoveries at 98.8%, 101.6% and 101.2%. The sample solution prepared using the proposed method contained higher content of diosgenin and was stable for 48 h. Due to the high efficiency of sample preparation and high reliability of the HPLC method, it is feasible to use this method for routine analysis of diosgenin in the herb.

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