Pain is an unpleasant subjective feeling and emotional experience caused by the stimulation of the human brain to tissue damage in certain parts of the body or possibly causing tissue damage. Activator protein‑1 (AP‑1) complex is a dimeric transcription factor. It plays an vital role in multiple types of pain by regulating various signal pathways which participate in the transmission of nociceptive pain signals. The literatures of AP‑1 composition, including the AP's role in pain model and targeted therapy have been summarized. This review covers the structure and function of AP‑1, the regulation mechanism of multiple types of pain and the development of related drugs targeting AP‑1 and explores the role of AP‑1 in the occurrence and development of pain, which provides a new idea for pain research and treatment.