Icariin has a protective effect on spinal cord injury in rats. The researchers used icariin treatment on rats with spinal cord injuries and compared their outcomes to control groups. They found that rats treated with icariin showed better motor function and lower levels of inflammation and oxidative stress markers compared to untreated rats. Additionally, the treated rats had lower levels of cell death and better overall spinal cord health. This suggests that icariin may have potential as a neuroprotective agent for spinal cord injuries.