[01] Sani B. Saleh, Department of Vector and Parasitology, Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR), Kaduna, Nigeria. [02] Toma Ibrahim, Department of Vector and Parasitology, Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR), Kaduna, Nigeria. [03] Abdulkadir R. Salisu, Department of Environmental Science, School of Environmental Studies, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, Nigeria. [04] Stephen S. Shaida, Department of Vector and Parasitology, Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR), Kaduna, Nigeria. [05] Haruna Jibril, Department of Vector and Parasitology, Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR), Kaduna, Nigeria. [06] Isadu Habu Tela, Department of Vector and Parasitology, Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR), Kaduna, Nigeria. [07] Saminu S. Abdullahi, Department of Vector and Parasitology, Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR), Kaduna, Nigeria. [08] Elizabeth A. Adekemi, Department of Vector and Parasitology, Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR), Kaduna, Nigeria. [09] Hadiza M. Kabir, Department of Vector and Parasitology, Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR), Kaduna, Nigeria. [10] Idris Bala, Department of Microbiology, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria. [11] Abdurrahim Suleiman, Department of Vector and Parasitology, Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR), Kaduna, Nigeria.

Acalypha wilkesiana (Red Hot Cat’s Tail) has reportedly being used to treat a number of fungal (Eukaryotic) infections and so, might also have trypanocidal (parasitic- eukaryotic) properties. In this study, Ethanolic and water extracts of Red Hot Cat’s Tail plant were graded into concentrations of (30, 15, 7.5 and 3.73mg/ml) and tested against actively motile Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The extracts were then screened for alkaloids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, amino acid, reducing sugar, steroids, triterpanoids, and anthraquinones. At 30mg/ml, complete cessation of motility of the parasite occurred within 25min (for aqueous extract) and 30min (for ethanolic extract). At 15mg/ml, 7.5mg /ml, 3.72mg/ml of both the extracts, complete cessation of motility of the parasites within 40mins, 45mins and 50mins was observed respectively. High activity of the leaf extracts against T. brucei brucei might not be unconnected with the presence of efficient bioactive compounds in it. Therefore, this plant can locally be used against T. brucei brucei infestation.

Acalypha Wilkesiana, Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei, Extract, Concentration, Phytochemicals

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