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Crude extracts from traditional herbs have long been used in the treatment of a variety of acute and/or chronic diseases in many countries. Zingiber zerumbet Smith extract has been reported to have anti-inflammatory potential, especially in asthmatic patients. The aim of this study is to examine the capacity of water extract of Zingiber zerumbet (CC-ZWE) in protecting the lungs by inhibiting the release of inflammatory mediators during short-term treatment, and modulating cytokine gene expressions during long-term treatment. BALB/c mice were sensitised and challenged with ovalbumin to induce anaphylaxis. The anti-hypersensitive and anti-inflammatory potentials of water extract of Zingiber zerumbet Smith (ZZ-CWE) were evaluated using both in vitro and in vivo systems. ZZ-CWE decreased the release of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in vitro and effectively suppressed LTC4 release from lung tissue in vivo (p<0.05). Additionally, animals treated with ZZ-CWE expressed higher ratios of interferon-gamma/IL-4 mRNA in their splenocytes than that of the control group (p<0.05). Our results showed that ZZ-CWE should have beneficial effects for the treatment of asthmatic patients through its capabilities to inhibit the synthesis of LTC4 and through the immunomodulation of Th1/Th2 cytokine production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]