Sana Ashraf

Dr. Sana Ashraf


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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17 April 2023 in Biology
Verified
Journal Article
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SBSayda Maria Bashir
Sayda Maria Bashir
MAMuhammad Altaf
Muhammad Altaf
THTanveer Hussain
Tanveer Hussain
MUMuhammad Umair
Muhammad Umair
MMMuhammad Majeed
Muhammad Majeed
HEHosam O. Elansary
Hosam O. Elansary
Numerous investigations on plant ethnomedicinal applications have been conducted; however, knowledge about the medicinal use of wild animals is still limited. This present study is the second on the medicinal and cultural meaning of avian and mammalian species used by the population in the surrounding area of the Ayubia National Park, KPK, Pakistan. Interviews and meetings were compiled from the participants (N = 182) of the study area. The relative frequency of citation, fidelity level, relative popularity level, and rank order priority indices were applied to analyze the information. Overall, 137 species of wild avian and mammalian species were documented. Of these, 18 avian and 14 mammalian species were utilized to treat different diseases. The present research showed noteworthy ethno-ornithological and ethno-mammalogical knowledge of local people and their connection with fauna, which might be useful in the sustainable utilization of the biological diversity of the Ayubia National Park, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Furthermore, in vivo and/or in vitro examination of the pharmacological activities of species with the highest fidelity level (FL%) as well as frequency of mention (FM) might be important for investigations on faunal-based new drugs.

13 August 2022 in Animals
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Journal Article
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SASaba Adil
Saba Adil
MAMuhammad Altaf
Muhammad Altaf
THTanveer Hussain
Tanveer Hussain
MUMuhammad Umair
Muhammad Umair
JNJian Ni
Jian Ni
SASana Ashraf
Sana Ashraf
Amphibians and reptiles have interacted with humans for millennia. However, humans interact with amphibian and reptile species in different manners, which depend on their culture and traditions. This study was designed to better understand the interactions between amphibian and reptile species and their usage among the native peoples in the vicinity of the Jhelum and Chenab rivers, Pakistan. Information was collected through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires, and was analyzed by using different indices, including the frequency of citation, corrected fidelity level, fidelity level, relative importance level, and informant major ailment. Two amphibians and twenty-six reptile species were used in therapeutic medicine in the study area. Based on the cultural analysis, we found that Naja naja (black cobra) was highly cited across all cultural groups. A 100% Fidelity Level was calculated for the following species: Naja naja (eye infection), Varanus bengalensis (joint pain), Eurylepis taeniolatus (cataract), and Acanthodactylus cantoris (cancer). We found five endangered species in the study area, i.e., Aspideretes gangeticus, A. hurum, Chitra indica, Varanus flavescens, and Geoclemys hamiltonii, that were used to cure joint pain, muscle stretching and pain, backbone pain, paralysis, and psoriasis, respectively. Likewise, Lissemys punctata andersoni, a vulnerable species as labelled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, was extensively used for the treatment of joint pain, body pain, paralysis, and arthritis in the study area. In terms of conservation, it is critical to protect the highly vulnerable and endangered species that are being used in therapeutic medicines. Our findings may be helpful for the conservation of amphibian and reptile species by helping to make an effective plan to prevent their extinction. The main threats to the diversity of amphibian and reptile species in the area are hunting, trading, and cultural use. These threats could potentially lead to the extinction of these species. Therefore, with the involvement of concerned authorities, e.g., local stakeholders, the Ministry of Climate Change, provincial wildlife departments, academia, and conservation managers, immediate conservation measures should be taken for the protection and sustainable utilization of medicinal species.
1

9 February 2026 in Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
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Journal Article
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MJMuhammad Jahangeer
Muhammad Jahangeer
MAMuhammad Altaf
Muhammad Altaf
NINoushin Irshad
Noushin Irshad
MTMuhamad Tariq
Muhamad Tariq
SCSushan Chowhan
Sushan Chowhan
GAgholamreza abdi
gholamreza abdi
Pakistan has a rich cultural and faunal diversity, which sustains several ethnic communities that rely on traditional medicine for primary care. The Himala

7 August 2026 in Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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MHMuhammad Hamza
Muhammad Hamza
MAMuhammad Altaf
Muhammad Altaf
MAMuhammad Akbar
Muhammad Akbar
MTMuhammad Tariq
Muhammad Tariq
SASana Ashraf
Sana Ashraf
GAGholamreza Abdi
Gholamreza Abdi
Lal Suhanra National Park is home to a variety of landscapes, including wetlands, forests, and deserts, as well as a large number of food and medicinal pla