Novel red Zn(II) complex-based fluorescent probes featuring cryptolepine–curcumin derivatives, namely, [Zn(BQ)Cl2] (BQ-Zn) and [Zn(BQ)(Cur)]Cl (BQCur-Zn), were developed for the simple and fluorescent label-free detection of apoptosis, an important biological process. The probes could synergistically promote mitochondrion-mediated apoptosis and enhance tumor therapeutic effects in vitro and vivo.
