I am wondering whether this would be safer alternative to Omega-3s,
certainly less double bonds and thus better chemical stability, at
least topical.  Also interesting how they are using carrageenan, which
is a common food additive, to induce inflammatory response.

Taka

Mediators Inflamm. 2000;9(5):223-8.

Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models
of inflammation.

Vieira C, Evangelista S, Cirillo R, Lippi A, Maggi CA, Manzini S.
Department of Pharmacology, Menarini Ricerche spa, Pomezia Roma,
Italy.

Observational studies indicate that topical application of ricinoleic
acid (RA), the main component of castor oil, exerts remarkable
analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Pharmacological
characterization has shown similarities between the effects of RA and
those of capsaicin, suggesting a potential interaction of this drug on
sensory neuropeptide-mediated neurogenic inflammation. The aim of this
study was to assess RA anti-inflammatory activities in comparison with
capsaicin in several models of acute and subchronic inflammation. The
acute inflammation was induced by intradermal injection of carrageenan
in the mouse or by histamine in the guinea-pig eyelid. In either
experiment, the extent of the oedema thickness was measured.
Subchronic oedema was induced by complete Freund's adjuvant injection
in the ventral right paw of mice. Tissue substance P (SP) was measured
in the carrageenan experiments by radioimmunoassay (RIA). It was found
that the acute topical application of RA (0.9 mg/mouse) or capsaicin
(0.09 mg/mouse) significantly increased the mouse paw oedema induced
by carrageenan, while an 8-day repeated topical treatment with the
same doses of both compounds resulted in a marked inhibition of
carrageenan-induced paw oedema matched by a reduction in SP tissue
levels. Similar effects were found against histamine-induced eyelid
oedema in guinea-pigs after acute or repeated application of RA or
capsaicin. RA and capsaicin given for 1-3 weeks reduced the
established oedema induced by Freund's adjuvant, a subchronic model of
inflammation, particularly if given by the intradermal route. Either
in mouse paw or in guinea-pig eyelid, capsaicin but not RA by itself
produced a slight hyperemia and activation of a behavioural response
(e.g. scratching of the eyelids). On the basis of the present results,
RA may be seen as a new capsaicin-like, non-pungent anti-inflammatory
agent suitable for peripheral application.
PMID: 11200362

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castor_oil