Disclosed is the use of a fraction of Panax quinquefolius in the manufacture of a medicament for preventing, treating or ameliorating airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, or a combination thereof, in a subject having a condition characterized by airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, or a combination thereof, wherein the fraction is prepared from a water soluble extract of the root portion of Panax quinquefolius, and wherein the fraction is substantially identical to a fraction selected from the group consisting ofCVT-E002, PQ2, PQ223, a purified fraction from CVT-E002, a purified fraction from PQ2 and a purified fraction from PQ223.
