Accurate detection depression cell model with a dual-locked fluorescence probe in response to noradrenaline and HClO

[Display omitted] •A “dual-locked” probe for detection of noradrenaline and HClO was synthesized.•The probe shows excellent selectivity for noradrenaline and HClO in cells.•The probe was successfully applied to accurately detect depressed cells. Due to the serious harm of depression to human health and quality of life, an accurate diagnosis of depression is warranted. For the complex etiology of depression, a single biomarker diagnostic method often leads to misdiagnosis. As noradrenaline and HClO are closely related to depression, a “dual-locked” fluorescence probe R-NE-HClO for diagnosing of depression through the simultaneous detection of noradrenaline and HClO was designed and synthesized. Fluorescence of R-NE-HClO can only be restored in the presence of both noradrenaline and HClO. The probe demonstrates excellent selectivity for noradrenaline and HClO and low cytotoxicity in cell imaging experiments. It is to be observed that we successfully applied the probe to accurately detect depressed cells which provides a possible tool for diagnosing depression.