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Polysaccharides from plant cell cultures of Echinacea purpurea have been found to be very effective in activating macrophages both in vitro and in vivo. Macrophages stimulated with these polysaccharides produce tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 and interferon beta. They are also activated to cytotoxicity against tumor cells and microorganisms. Applied intravenously these polysaccharides protect mice very efficiently from lethal infections with Candida albicans or Listeria monocytogenes.