Essential oils (EOs) from Cymbopogon citratus (CC), Eucalyptus citriodora (EC), Eucalyptus camaldulensis (ED), and Citrus sinensis (CS) were obtained by hydrodistillation process. The EOs were evaluated in vitro for activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei (Tbb) and Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi). The EOs were found to possess antitrypanosomal activity in vitro in a dose-dependent pattern in a short period of time. The drop in number of parasite over time was achieved doses of 0.4？g/ml, 0.2？g/mL, and 0.1？g/mL for all the EOs. The concentration of 0.4？g/mL CC was more potent at 3 minutes and 2 minutes for Tbb and T. evansi, respectively. The GC-MS analysis of the EOs revealed presence of Cyclobutane (96.09%) in CS, 6-octenal (77.11%) in EC, Eucalyptol (75%) in ED, and Citral (38.32%) in CC among several other organic compounds. The results are discussed in relation to trypanosome chemotherapy. 1. Introduction African Trypanosomosis is a disease caused by several trypanosomes of the Trypanosomatidae family, which affect humans or animals. Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi) is the most widely distributed of the pathogenic African trypanosomes, affecting domestic livestock and wildlife [1] and causes African trypanosomosis, a disease which affects humans and animals [2–4]. It is also well known that T. evansi is the etiological agent of a disease called Surra which is a major cause of livestock morbidity and mortality [5, 6] and it has been reported to occur in a variety of hosts the most economically important being horses, buffalo and cattle [3, 6, 7]. Trypanosoma brucei brucei (Tbb) also causes African Trypanosomosis along with several other species of trypanosomes although Tbb has morphological similarities with T. evansi, the latter differs from related species by the absence of kinetoblast DNA minicircle [8]. Currently, 35 million people and 25 million cattle in Africa are at risk of contracting the disease which is fatal if untreated [9]. Ironically, some registered trypanocides are frequently toxic, require lengthy administration, lack efficacy and are sometimes unaffordable for most of the patients [10]. In many African countries, plants have traditionally been used for centuries and are still being widely used to treat this illness and other parasitic diseases which may be due to limited availability and affordability of pharmaceutical products. Essential oils (EOs) are odoriferous constituents produced by plants and have been traditionally used for respiratory tract infections and are known to possess antimicrobial properties [11, 12]. It is also
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