Curcumin is a natural
polyphenol phytochemical derived from turmeric with
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties but is concerned about poor solubility in water, absorption, and metabolic stability. Potent metastatic
osteosarcoma is the most common primary
bone cancer in children, adolescents, and young adults. It is responsible for low survival rates because of its high rate of
metastasis to the lungs. To improve poor bioavailability, numerous
curcumin analogs were developed to possess anticancer characteristics through a variety of
biological pathways involved in cytotoxicity, proliferation, autophagy, sensitizing
chemotherapy, and
metastases. This review provides an overview of their various pharmacological functions, molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic potential as a remedy for human
osteosarcoma. To enhance therapeutic efficacy, several liposomal nanoparticles, nanocarriers, multifunctional
micelles, and three-dimensional printed scaffolds have also been developed for the controlled delivery of
curcumin targeting human
osteosarcoma cells. Consequently,
curcumin and several potential analogs and delivery formulations are optimistic candidates to improve the currently available strategy for human
osteosarcoma. However, further insight into the mechanism of action of promising
curcumin analogs and the development of carriers in clinical trials of
osteosarcoma needs to be investigated to improve their overall potency and clinical utility, in particular the anti-metastatic effect.