Abstract: Novel compounds are provided which exhibit high levels of anti-parasitic activity, specifically against parasites of the genus Trypanosoma. The compounds are comprised of aryl-substituted quaternary heteroaromatic salts which include a positively charged imidazolium or other heterocyclic ring, a linking group, a phenyl ring, and a polar functional group. The polar functional group is preferably a quanylhydrazone or a heterocyclic hydrazone. A method is also provided for treating the diseases associated with Trypanosoma parasites which comprises administering to infected animals or humans an effective amount of a compound of the present invention.