Table 2.

Advantages and disadvantages of non-viral vectors

Type of nanoparticle	Advantages	Disadvantages	References
Inorganic nanoparticles	Short time of transfection, easy preparation, wide availability, rich functionality, high transfection efficiency, potential capability for targeted delivery and controlled release	Most of them are instable, toxic and non-biocompatible	[18,48,56]
Polymer-based nanoparticles	Small size, narrow distribution, more stability, high protection against enzymatic degradation, low toxicity and high cationic potential	Low biodegradability, low efficacy	[25,29,31]
Lipid-based nanoparticles	Safe preparation, low immunogenicity,	Toxicity at high dose, difficult preparation, low transformation efficiency	[20]
Hybrid nanoparticles	Improved the loading dose of DNA cellular uptake, controlling the release of the DNA and target delivery compared to other non-viral vectors	Toxicity at very high dose	[25,73]