Abstract: Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are important kinases which are involved in the intracellular signaling transduction in mammalian. There are three major MAPK pathways: Ras/ERK，JNK/SAPK and p38MAPK. Recent studies indicate that all of them play significant roles in the processing of pain especially in the development and maintenance of pathological pain. This review will focus on the research progress in the study of MAPK in pain modulation. The further insights into its mechanisms may provide a good prospect for the therapies of painful diseases.