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A comprehensive review on pain: Model, target, therapy, and prospect (Review)
Chenyu Chang1, Xutao Wu1, Kejia Liu2
1Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Chinese Material Medical Resources, Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330004, P.R. China.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine
|December 19, 2025
Summary
This review details advances in pain research, including sophisticated animal models and molecular targets like ion channels. Future pain management will integrate multimodal therapies and personalized strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Pain Medicine
Background:
- Pain is a vital survival mechanism but also a significant global health challenge.
- Understanding pain mechanisms is crucial for improving patient well-being and societal development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and analyze research progress in pain management.
- To cover animal models, molecular targets, therapeutic approaches, and future directions in pain research.
Main Methods:
- Review of evolving animal models for neuropathic, cancer-induced, and visceral pain.
- Identification of molecular targets including voltage-gated ion channels, G protein-coupled receptors, and inflammation-related enzymes.
- Analysis of current clinical strategies: multimodal integration, opioid optimization, non-opioid innovations, neuromodulation, and psychological interventions.
Main Results:
- Advanced animal models better mimic clinical pain conditions.
- Key molecular targets provide a basis for novel analgesic drug design.
- Clinical treatments are increasingly multimodal, combining drug therapy, neuromodulation, and behavioral interventions.
Conclusions:
- While significant progress has been made, truly curative pain treatments remain a long-term goal.
- Future research should focus on pathological mechanisms, opioid side effects, personalized medicine, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
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