Background　Melanocortin system plays an important role in regulating energy homeostasis， food intake， cardiovascular function and sexual function， which has been found to contribute to neuropathic pain in recent years， especially melanocortin receptor-4 （MC4R）.　Objective　To clarify the role and mechanism of MC4R in the development of neuropathic pain， and provide new therapeutic targets for neuropathic pain.　Content　MC4R may interact with P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， neuropeptide tyrosine Y （NPY）， calcitonin gene related peptide （CGRP） et al， and involve in the generation and maintenance of neuropathic pain. In this paper， a review concerning the recent research in neuropathic pain was made.　Trend　Melanocortin recrptor is probably a potential new target in the treatment of neuropathic pain.