Curcumin in human osteosarcoma: From analogs to carriers

•Curcumin is a natural polyphenolic phytochemical derived from turmeric with various antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties.•Chemical approaches to resolving this problem have been used to increase the solubility of curcumin analogs.•Several nanoparticle-based delivery systems have emerged to enhance water solubility, absorption, and thus ultimate bioavailability and targeted delivery to promote anticancer effects in human osteosarcoma.•We look beyond curcuminoids and explore potential analogs and carriers to identify novel and well-tolerated therapies in human osteosarcoma. Osteosarcoma (osteogenic sarcoma), the most prevalent primary malignant bone tumor in adolescents, confers low survival rates in patients with metastatic disease. Dietary curcumin has a number of anticancer properties but has poor bioavailability. To improve the clinical applications of curcumin, several potential curcumin analogs and nanobased curcumin delivery systems have been developed. In this critical review, we address the biological and pharmacological characteristics of curcumin and its analogs, with an emphasis on strategies to improve the bioactivity and bioavailability of curcumin analogs that may increase their application in the treatment of potent human metastatic osteosarcoma. We highlight promising current multifunctional nanoformulations and three-dimensional printed scaffold systems utilized for the targeting and delivery of curcumin in human osteosarcoma cells. Our purpose is to drive further research on curcumin analogs and carriers to improve their bioavailability and anti-osteosarcoma bioactivity.