BZA reduces lesion volume and improves functional recovery following SCI in vivo. (A) Locomotor functional recovery evaluation using BBB scores. The BZA-treated group had significantly higher BBB scores compared with the injury-only group. (B) Gross morphology at 21 days after SCI showed better tissue preservation in the BZA-treated group. Representative images of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining at dpi 1 (C) and dpi 20 (D) and quantitative analys© (E) showed reduced tissue necrosis area in the BZA-treated group. Data represent mean ± SEM (n = 3(C–E). Data represent mean ± SD (n = 3–6 (A); performed by two blinded reviewers with BBB scoring). * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 (dpi 1 vs. dpi 20, same group (C), injury vs. BZA (D), NS = Not significant, Student t test followed by the Mann Whitney test for H&E lesion area percentage and two-way ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni test for BBB scoring.