Laryngeal cancer is detected commonly worldwide, and it ranks second highest in incidence among the respiratory tract neoplasms following only head and neck squamous cell cancer. In the present study salicin dimethyl ether was synthesized and evaluated against laryngeal cancers cells for anticancer property. MTT assay was used for the measurement of changes in TU686 and Tu212 cell proliferation while as induced apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Protein expression was determined by western blotting and expression of mRNA by RT-PCR assay. In the present study salicin dimethyl ether was synthesized by the reaction of salicin with methyl iodide using sodium hydride as base. Salicin dimethyl ether treatment led to a significant decrease in TU686 and Tu212 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. In TU686 and Tu212 cells salicin dimethyl ether treatment caused a significant increase in cell apoptosis and elevated caspase-3 activity. Treatment with salicin dimethyl ether led to a prominent reduction in Bcl-2 protein expression in TU686 and Tu212 cells at 72 h. Salicin dimethyl ether treatment led to a prominent decrease in p-PI3K and p-Akt protein expression in TU686 and Tu212 cells, compared to the untreated cells. A significant increase in miR‑15a expression in TU686 and Tu212 cells was observed on treatment with salicin dimethyl ether at 72 h. In summary, the current study demonstrates that salicin dimethyl ether, a synthetic derivative of salicin, suppresses proliferation of TU686 and Tu212 cells. The underlying mechanism involves induction of apoptosis, inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway and promotion of miR-15a expression. Therefore, salicin dimethyl ether may be used for inhibition of laryngeal cancer growth, however, in vivo studies need to be conducted to confirm the effect.