The synthesis of curcumin–cyclodextrin/cellulose nanocrystals (CNCx) nano complexes was performed. CNCx were functionalized by ionic association with cationic β-cyclodextrin (CD) and CD/CNCx complexes were used to encapsulate curcumin. Preliminary in vitro results showed that the resulting curcumin–CD/CNCx complexes exerted antiproliferative effect on colorectal and prostatic cancer cell lines, with IC50s lower than that of curcumin alone.