Table 1.

Summary of NO concentration and its general effects on antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity and biosafety.

	Targeted Delivery of NO to Infection Site	Spontaneous NO Release
High NO concentration	Depending on kinetics of NO release, killing of planktonic bacteria and eradication of biofilms can occur at sufficiently high NO concentrations Lower likelihood of side effects due to NO, as NO is delivered and consumed close to or at the target site Side effects/toxicity caused by the drug delivery vehicle needs to be further evaluated	Off target NO release may lead to NO levels below the required therapeutic dose at the target site Higher potential of side- or systemic effects due to NO as it is spontaneously released Side effects/toxicity caused by the drug delivery vehicle needs to be further evaluated
Low NO concentration	Depending on kinetics of NO release, targeted NO release may enable local NO concentrations to reach low NO concentrations required for biofilm dispersal Lower potential of side effects due to NO as low dose of NO delivered, with NO delivery close to or at the target site Side effects/toxicity caused by the drug delivery vehicle needs to be further evaluated